Hristo Stoichkov is a retired Bulgarian footballer, widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation. Born on February 8, 1966, in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, he gained fame for his exceptional skills as a forward. Stoichkov played for several clubs, most notably FC Barcelona, where he was part of the legendary team that won multiple titles in the 1990s. Stoichkov also had a successful international career, representing the Bulgaria national team. He played a key role in the team's impressive run to the semifinals of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, where they finished fourth. His contributions to football earned him numerous awards, including the prestigious Ballon d'Or in 1994.