The captain of the national football team, Ivelin Popov, was voted No. 1 in Bulgarian football in 2017. The striker of the Russian Spartak (Moscow) won the 57th edition of the "Football of the Year" poll, which was organized by the Bulgarian Football Union, the Association of the Bulgarian sports jounalists and "Daks Media".
The President of the BFU Borislav Mihaylov awarded the captain of the "A" national team who gathered 228 points in the 104- sports journalists from 48 media outlets. Martin Kamburov ("Beroe") finished second with 124 points and third is Todor Nedelev ("Botev", Plovdiv) with 48 points.
The two players received their awards from the Minister of Youth and Sports of Bulgaria Krasen Kralev and the Vice President of the BFU Atanas Furnadzhiev.
For Popov this is the third consecutive award for Bulgaria's No. 1, with which the 30-year-old striker equaled third place in the everlasting rankings with legend Hristo Bonev (1969, 1972, 1973). Ahead of them are only Dimitar Berbatov (2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010) and Hristo Stoichkov (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994).
"I wish Siberian health to everyone, I am very proud to receive this award again, and I am happy to thank the people who have voted for me," said Popov.
Kiril Despodov from CSKA-Sofia won the online Football of the Year 2017 poll, which was available through the Bulgarian national football team facebook page. 6649 people participated in the poll.
Various categories winners
Best goalkeeper
Bozhidar Mitrev (Levski)
Best defender
David Yablonski (Levski)
Best midfielder
Marselinho (Ludogorets)
Best forward
Fernando Caranga (CSKA-Sofia)
Best foreign player
Fernando Caranga (CSKA-Sofia)
Most talented young player
Kiril Despodov (CSKA-Sofia)
Best women footballer
Evdokiya Popadinova (second consecutive year)
Hope for the future award
Bulgarian Under-19 national team with head coach Angel Stoykov
Football renascence
Etar (Veliko Tarnovo)
A "Lion heart - Trifon Ivanov" award was given for a second consecutive year. It is awarded for prominence, character, courage, valor, uncompromising and complete self-esteem in the name of the beloved game and of Bulgaria. Its owner became Martin Kamburov.
Dimitar Berbatov and his eminent foundation received the special award for "Development of Football and Society". The prize was presented by the two-time Olympic medalist and five-time world champion of sports shooting Vesela Lecheva, who is also the founder of Daks Media.
Department "Public Relations and Media"
