Barcelona legend impressed by key first-team trio: “I love them”

Former Barcelona forward Hristo Stoichkov, who played for the Catalan team between 1990 and 1998 barring a loan tenure at Parma in between, has said that he really likes Xavi as a manager and the fact that he has mixed young players with experienced veterans is quite commendable.

Stoichkov, who currently works as a television commentator in the United States, was an integral member of the legendary Barcelona Dream Team, as during his tenure, he won the Ballon d’Or in 1994.

The list of Stoichkov’s honours at Barcelona also includes a European Cup, a Cup Winners’ Cup, five La Liga titles, two domestic Cups, six Spanish Super Cups, and three European Super Cups.

Stoichkov loves Barcelona squad through and through

Speaking in an interview, the former Bulgaria forward said that he loves the current crop of Barcelona players and the fact that Xavi knows what it is like to play for Barcelona is an added advantage.

“I like Xavi. He is a young coach, he knows the subject, he knows the club, he has young players that he is putting in. I love Gavi, I love Pedri, I love Balde,” he was quoted by SPORT. 

“Xavi is working with people who have experience and young people who will grow much more. Obviously, they are going to grow. I am delighted. First for Pedri and Gavi, but now also for Balde. This boy has a lot of quality,”

On the other hand, he is not really a big fan of current club president Joan Laporta. He said that the president is doing well in terms of sporting achievements, but financially, Laporta is not the right man to lead the project.

“I believe Laporta in some things and I don’t in others. Economically we are not in good hands. Something is missing. In terms of football, yes. 

“For everything he has done to get players signed, the team is made, it is prepared for win. This year they are going to win the league easily. Another thing is the Champions League. But what worries me most is the economy. 

“How do people explain Barça’s economy? With so much debt there is, sometimes they explain one thing, sometimes they explain something else and it depends. People don’t believe him. There are many people who don’t believe him,” he added.

Special mention of Josep Lluis Nunez

While mentioning Laporta, Stoichkov mentioned former Barcelona president Josep Lluis Nunez, who led Barcelona between 1978 and 2000. During his candidacy, Barcelona won seven La Liga titles.

While talking about him, Stoichkov said that Nunez was the best president in the history of football.

“He was the best president in the world, in the history of football. He changed the history of Spanish football and FC Barcelona. 

“He was a true father for my family, for my wife and my daughters. He and Maria Lluïsa, his wife, gave us so much love, they treated us so well… I am excited to talk about him, I loved him very much. A lot. 

“The greatest. He did a lot for Barça and for football. If Núñez were the president today, Barcelona would not be in this position of economic situation. Never. But never. I wouldn’t have 2,000 million in debt now,” he concluded.