Stoichkov backs Maradona’s Argentina

Diego Maradona walks alongside his Argentinan squad as they leave the pitch.

Former Bulgarian World Cup star Hristo Stoichkov has backed Diego Maradona to take Argentina all the way to the World Cup final on July 11 in Soccer City.

“Diego knows exactly how to manage a team and I think Argentina is the clear favourite to reach the final,” said the former Barcelona player.

“He has some very special players. He has got Leo Messi up-front who he is the best player in the world,” added the 44-year-old former striker and national coach.

Stoichkov managed Bulgaria between 2004 and 2007 and has the same hot-head reputation as Maradona. Both players played for Barcelona in Spain and Stoichkov believes the Spanish will struggle to make the next round.

He said: “It all depends on the third game. No-one gives you anything in the last match. It may well be that Spain beat Honduras but in the third game who knows. Chile are very tough opponents. This is not the Chile side of 20 years ago. They have another coach and another mentality.” Stoichkov played in the best Bulgarian team of the country’s history reaching the semi-finals in the United States in 1994.

The former player’s reputation for speaking his mind is surpassed only by Maradona, and he did not hold back when asked about the World Cup ball. “It’s a complete disaster,” he said.