Balakov says goodbye

By Nedko Kyuchukov

Bulgaria playmaker Krassimir Balakov ended his international career tonight with a brief appearance against Albania in front of his adoring public in Sofia. He only played for eight minutes - but typically managed to create a goal.

Ninety-one caps
The 37-year-old midfield player won 92 international caps, scoring 15 goals, making his debut in November 1988 in a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Denmark. His last action, prior to his pre-planned early substitution, was to set up Dimitar Berbatov to score in a 2-0 victory.

'I'll keep my fingers crossed'
"My international career is over," said Balakov, who had hoped to bow out in June's UEFA EURO 2004™ meeting with Belgium only to collect a suspension in the recent qualifier against Estonia. "But I wish my team-mates good luck against Belgium and although I am leaving the team my soul will always be here. It is my belief that now is the right time to quit. I had planned to play my last match against Belgium, but the booking prevented me. I will cross my fingers and hope that the team qualifies for EURO 2004™."

'We will miss him'
The VfB Stuttgart player, who will take a coaching role at the club this summer while retaining his playing licence, has been a part of the national team for so long that it will be strange for him not to be involved. As coach Plamen Markov said: "I cannot believe that he is calling it a day. Of course we will miss him because he is one of the best Bulgarian footballers of all time. I respect his decision and I thank him for all he did for the national team."

'True leader'
Ivan Slavkov, the Bulgarian Football Union president, also expressed his gratitude. "Everyone should show him the respect he deserves for everything he has done for the national team," he said. "I had hoped that he would stay on and play a few more matches - he has strength and ability and is a true leader, but the decision is solely his and we cannot blame him."

Eye for goal
Balakov started his career at his home-town club, Etar Veliko Tarnovo. His fine return of 46 goals in 191 league appearances was matched by a record of never being booked or sent off. A move to Sporting Clube de Portugal in 1990 led to him being named Bulgarian Footballer of the Year the following season, when he beat other outstanding players such as his then team-mate Luis Figo.

Fantastic World Cup
However, it was the 1994 World Cup that sealed his reputation. Having helped eliminate France in qualification, Balakov played a pivotal role in beating Germany in the quarter-finals before losing to Italy, and - along with Hristo Stoichkov - was named in the team of the tournament. A Portuguese Cup winner's medal followed in 1995 along with another Portuguese Player of the Year award.

One regret
Although Balakov went on to secure a move to Stuttgart, he still regrets not having played for one of Europe's élite sides. "I am sorry that I could not play for one of the so-called super clubs like Real Madrid [CF], Juventus [FC], [FC] Bayern München or [FC] Barcelona," he said. "Maybe this is because of my position on the pitch, which requires me to be a loyal, unifying figure. That is why I stayed at each club for no less than four or five years."