Bulgarian football icon Georgi Asparuhov has received prestigious international recognition, as the British sports publication "Sport Bible" ranked him among the hundred most exceptional attackers in football history. At an impressive 78th position, he remains the only Bulgarian representative in this elite ranking.
Born on May 4, 1943, in Sofia, Asparuhov grew up as a graduate of Levski's sports school, where he built his entire football career. He spent a short two-year period in Botev Plovdiv during his military service between 1961 and 1963, where he won his first professional trophy - the country's cup.
His sports achievements are remarkable: three-time champion of Bulgaria (1965, 1968, and 1970) and three-time winner of the national cup (1967, 1970, and 1971). In 1965, he was named Sportsman No. 1 and Footballer of the Year, solidifying his status as a national hero.
In the Bulgarian national team, Asparuhov scored an impressive 18 goals in 49 matches, participating in three World Cups - in 1962, 1966, and 1970. His effectiveness and skill made him a true symbol of Bulgarian football.
His tragic death on June 30, 1971, interrupted his youthful flight, but his legacy continues to live on. In 1999, he was chosen as the best footballer of Bulgaria for the 20th century, and in 2014, he received a posthumous state recognition - the first-degree "Stara Planina" order and the title of "Honorary Citizen of Sofia".
In the international ranking of "Sport Bible", leading positions are occupied by legends such as Ronaldo Nazario, Eusebio, and Marco van Basten, followed by Gerd Müller, Romario, and Thierry Henry. Among current attackers, Luis Suarez and Robert Lewandowski are leading.