Hristo Stoichkov to announce shock retirement?

Sad news for Stoichkov fans. Speculation had been rife that Ballon d’Or winner of 1994 will announce his retirement from sports, at age 60, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 25/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a footballer isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a footballer-coach just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouHristo

For a little while on Tuesday evening, #ThankYouHristo was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouHristo.”
— @DesireePlum, 24 Mar 2026

“Stoichkov wasn't retired?”
— @borisB0, 24 Mar 2026

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