WORLD CUP USA ’94 / QUARTERFINALS : Spotlight : IT’S ALL IN THE HRISTO

Hristo Stoitchkov, Bulgaria’s star midfielder, is a quote machine. He is the Al McGuire of the soccer world.

After his team had beaten Mexico in the round of 16, its best showing in World Cup competition, Stoitchkov, who spends most of his time in Spain and is a star for FC Barcelona, said, “Today, God was a Bulgarian.”

Earlier in his career, according to the Chicago Tribune, Stoitchkov was banned for two months from the Spanish League after stamping on a referee’s foot while disputing a call. His comment on that?

“I have nothing against referees,” he said. “The best man in my wedding was a referee.”

Hristo’s given name means Christ in Bulgarian, to which Stoitchkov responds: “There are only two Christs. One plays for Barcelona, the other is in heaven.”