The famous former CSKA and Bulgarian national team goalkeeper Georgi (Johnny) Velinov died at the age of 68 in a military hospital in Sofia, 24chasa.bg reports. Earlier, the legendary record-breaking goalkeeper passed away, who died in the hospital after an accident.
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According to the football player's son Ventsislav (also a former goalkeeper), amid his father's three-year battle with jaw cancer and surgery in Turkey, he was finally finished off by complications from pneumonia.
“Today is a very sad day. A great man has passed away! One of the best goalkeepers I have ever seen! The man who accepted me into CSKA like a father! Rest in peace, brother Johnny! Eternal gratitude for everything you have done for me and for CSKA,” wrote the legendary Ballon d'Or winner Hristo Stoichkov on social media.
Georgy Velinov with the legendary Hrysto Stoichkov and his grandson Georgy Jr. ADVERTISING
Georgi Velinov was a 6-time champion of Bulgaria and a 4-time winner of the Bulgarian Cup. The goalkeeper played 33 matches for the national team. His track record includes victories with CSKA over such “monsters” as Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Nottingham Forest, and Real Sociedad. In 1981, Georgi Velinov, who also played for the Portuguese Braga, was recognized as the best football player in Bulgaria.
The years after football were not easy for Johnny, who published his autobiography in 2021. Suffice it to say that in 2002 (on the 20th anniversary of the victory over Liverpool), his wife died, and in 2007 Velinov underwent a liver transplant.
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Previously, “FACTS” reported that the legendary football coach, who was born in Poland, played for Germany, and made Denmark famous, had died.
Photos from social networks