Balakov: My Strongest Memory is from Paris, the Wheel Can Turn Again

Krasi Balakov, a bronze medalist from the 1994 World Cup, spoke to reporters at a gallery on Oborishte Street in Sofia, where jerseys from his illustrious career are on display. The event, dedicated to the legendary playmaker's 60th birthday, was attended by former Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) president Valentin Mihov, long-serving BFU vice-president Mihail Kasabov, former national team player Plamen Nikolov – Pinko, Sector "G" favorite Metodi Deyanov, former CSKA captain Anatoli Nankov, Levski scout Krasimir Petrov, Iliya Hristov from "Sini Sartsa" (Blue Hearts), financier Kiril Evtimov, pop-folk singer Galena, and others.

"The feeling is unique! The organizers have gone to great lengths to display jerseys from all the clubs I've played for in the gallery. I'm pleasantly surprised. I see a drawing right in front of me, even from Etar. I have unforgettable memories, so many of them. Perhaps the strongest memory is from Paris with the national team, where the golden generation began to form, in the very last minute. Mitchmana, God rest his soul, shouted: 'God is Bulgarian.' Then at the World Cup – the first victory against Greece, the unforgettable match with Germany. We then proved it wasn't a fluke, winning again in the European qualifiers. Good things happened to me in Portugal, and as for Germany, I still live there to this day.

Football is a social phenomenon. Bulgaria hasn't yet reached the point where it sees football and politics going hand in hand. I hope that in the near future, the necessary funds will be invested to turn the tide and reach modern football standards. Football took time away from my children – Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are busy for us as footballers, and my family suffered. Football has given me an immense amount, but it has also taken some things, but that's the fate of a professional footballer.

I believe the wheel can turn; there are always ups and downs – it happened in Germany, and it happened in France. I'm optimistic. We will have positive results, I'm convinced of that. I would really like Portugal to win the World Cup, as it would be a last chance for Ronaldo, as well as for Messi – it would be great for them to finish their careers at the very top, if possible. Portugal is a country closer to my heart; I've worked there, and Ronaldo played for a club I was involved with – good luck, I'll be rooting for Portugal," Balakov stated.