Georgi Naydenov (footballer)

Georgi Spirov Naydenov (Bulgarian: Георги Спиров Найденов) (21 December 1931 – 28 May 1970) is a former Bulgarian football goalkeeper and former manager. He is considered the greatest Bulgarian goalkeeper for all time. Between 1955 and 1965 he played in 176 matches for CSKA Sofia. He was honoured as Bulgarian Footballer of the Year in 1961. Naydenov won the top Bulgarian league, the A PFG, a 8 times (all with CSKA), as well as the Bulgarian Cup, 3 times (all with CSKA). He was respected for his incredible work ethic and his determination during training and matches alike.

International career

For the Bulgaria national football team Naydenov featured in 51 games and won a bronze medal at the 1956 Summer Olympics. He played for his country at the 1962 and 1966 World Cups. Even after he had retired from competing he still remained one of the fittest players in Bulgaria and this made his death all the more mysterious. He Died in Damascus, Syria and initial reports claimed he had suffered a heart attack although members of his family and people close to him suspected he had been poisoned by a Bulgarian interior minister whom he had recently had an argument with regarding the joining of teams Levski Sofia and Spartak Sofia.^[1]

Honours

Player

• CSKA Sofia
  • Bulgarian League: 8 times - 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962
  • Bulgarian Cup: 3 times - 1955, 1961, 1965

References

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