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Borislav Mihaylov, a legendary captain of the Bulgaria national team and a former goalkeeper for Belenenses, passed away this Tuesday morning in Sofia. He was 63 years old.
The former Bulgarian international had been in critical condition since late November after suffering a stroke, and despite medical care and family support, he was unable to recover, according to reports from the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).
Mihaylov is widely considered one of the greatest goalkeepers in Bulgarian football history and a towering figure for the national team, earning 102 caps – 60 as captain. He also had a stint in Portuguese football, playing for Belenenses during the 1989/90 and 1990/91 seasons.
On the international stage, Mihaylov was instrumental in the success of the Bulgarian generation that reached the semi-finals of the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States. A defining moment of his performance came in the round of 16 against Mexico, where he became a national hero by saving two penalties in the shootout.
Mihaylov played in 11 World Cup matches, equal with Nasko Sirakov for the most appearances for Bulgaria in the tournament (though with fewer minutes played), and also featured in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, where he played four games.
At the club level, Mihaylov won three league titles with Levski Sofia (1983/1984, 1984/1985, 1987/1988) and three Bulgarian Cups with the same club (1982, 1984, and 1986). He was also named Bulgaria’s Footballer of the Year in 1986.
Following his playing career, Mihaylov transitioned into football administration. He served as a member of the Bulgarian Football Union’s Executive Committee since 2000, later becoming vice president. In 2005, he was elected president of the Bulgarian Football Union, a position he held until 2019, with a brief interruption between 2019 and 2021, making him the longest-serving president of the organization. He also served on the UEFA Executive Committee for eight years.
Mihaylov was also honored with the highest distinction of the Republic of Bulgaria – the Order of Stara Planina, First Class – after the 1994 World Cup. Two years ago, alongside fellow Bulgarian legends Hristo Stoichkov and Emil Kostadinov, he led the National Foundation 94.
The passing of Borislav Mihaylov marks the end of an era for Bulgarian football. His contributions as a player and administrator have left an indelible mark on the sport in the country. He will be remembered not only for his exceptional goalkeeping skills but also for his leadership and dedication to developing Bulgarian football.
Details regarding funeral arrangements will be announced by the family in due course. The Bulgarian Football Union has stated it will hold a moment of silence in his honor before all upcoming matches.
The football world mourns the loss of a true icon.
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