33·Legends
‹ Bulgaria's 33
Bulgaria · 1990s

Krasimir Balakov

Legend CM, also CDM, CAM Right-footed box-to-boxleader
Rating
88
Caps
92
Goals
16
Life
1966
Clubs
FC Etar 1924 Veliko Tarnovo, F.C. Etar, VfB Stuttgart
#5
Editorial rank of 33 for Bulgaria
–
The people's rank, live from duel votes

The elegant midfielder orchestrated Bulgaria's famous 1994 World Cup run with his exceptional vision and pinpoint passing. Career record: 92 caps and 16 goals for Bulgaria; club career at FC Etar 1924 Veliko Tarnovo, F.C. Etar, VfB Stuttgart.

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Career record

1982–1990FC Etar 1924 Veliko Tarnovo
1983–1990F.C. Etar
1991–1995Sporting CP
1995–2003VfB Stuttgart
2005–2005VFC Plauen
Bulgaria92 caps, 16 goals

Shared the era

Bulgaria legends whose careers overlapped Balakov's

The world's great CMs

Around Balakov in the almanac

One rank above: Hristo Bonev at #4.

One rank below: Emil Kostadinov at #6.

Bulgaria's editorial top five: Hristo Stoichkov · Dimitar Berbatov · Georgi Asparuhov · Hristo Bonev · Krasimir Balakov.