View source for Nasko Sirakov

{{short description|Bulgarian footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{family name hatnote|Petkov|Sirakov|lang=Bulgarian}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Nasko Sirakov
| image = Nasko sirakov.jpg
| fullname = Nasko Petkov Sirakov
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1962|4|26}}
| birth_place = [[Stara Zagora]], Bulgaria
| height = 1.86 m<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.slava.bg/profiles/194.html| title = Профил на Наско Сираков | language = bg | website = slava.bg | access-date = 9 February 2018}}</ref>
| position = [[Striker (association football)|Striker]]
| youthyears1 = 1975–1980
| youthclubs1 = [[PFC Levski Sofia|Levski Sofia]]
| years1 = 1980
| clubs1 = [[PFC Levski Sofia|Levski Sofia]]
| caps1 = 3
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 1980–1981
| clubs2 = [[PFC Spartak 1918|Spartak Varna]]
| caps2 = 21
| goals2 = 4
| years3 = 1981–1982
| clubs3 = [[PFC Haskovo|Haskovo]]
| caps3 = 35
| goals3 = 8
| years4 = 1983–1988
| clubs4 = [[PFC Levski Sofia|Levski Sofia]] 
| caps4 = 131
| goals4 = 89
| years5 = 1988–1990
| clubs5 = [[Real Zaragoza]]
| caps5 = 41
| goals5 = 10
| years6 = 1990–1991
| clubs6 = [[RCD Espanyol|Espanyol]]
| caps6 = 24
| goals6 = 3
| years7 = 1991–1992
| clubs7 = [[PFC Levski Sofia|Levski Sofia]]
| caps7 = 27
| goals7 = 26
| years8 = 1992
| clubs8 = [[RC Lens|Lens]]
| caps8 = 11
| goals8 = 3
| years9 = 1993–1994
| clubs9 = [[PFC Levski Sofia|Levski Sofia]]
| caps9 = 57
| goals9 = 51
| years10 = 1995
| clubs10 = [[PFC Botev Plovdiv|Botev Plovdiv]]
| caps10 = 20
| goals10 = 4
| years11 = 1995–1998
| clubs11 = [[PFC Slavia Sofia|Slavia Sofia]]
| caps11 = 36
| goals11 = 19
| totalcaps = 406
| totalgoals = 217
| nationalyears1 = 1983–1996
| nationalteam1 = [[Bulgaria national football team|Bulgaria]]
| nationalcaps1 = 78
| nationalgoals1 = 24
}}

'''Nasko Petkov Sirakov''' ({{langx|bg|Наско Петков Сираков}}; born 26 April 1962) is a Bulgarian retired professional [[Association football|footballer]] who played mainly as a [[forward (association football)|striker]]. He is the major shareholder of [[PFC Levski Sofia|Levski Sofia]].

Part of the [[Bulgaria national football team|Bulgaria national team]] at the [[1994 FIFA World Cup]] as it finished fourth, he was one of the most important footballers in the country in the 1980s and 1990s, representing [[PFC Levski Sofia|Levski Sofia]] in four separate spells.

Having surpassed the 200-goal mark as a professional – he was crowned the [[Bulgarian A Professional Football Group|country's top division]] topscorer four times – Sirakov also worked with his main club in directorial capacities.

==Club career==
Born in [[Stara Zagora]], the son of professional [[Wrestling|wrestler]] Petko Sirakov, Nasko started playing as a [[Forward (association football)|striker]], playing three games for [[PFC Levski Sofia|Levski Sofia]]'s first team in 1980, having joined the club's youth system at the age of 13. In the following years, he developed his game with [[PFC Spartak 1918|Spartak Varna]] and lowly [[PFC Haskovo|Haskovo]], returning to Levski after two seasons (he also played briefly for the latter club in the [[1982–83 A Group|1982–83 season]]).

In his second stint at Levski, Sirakov began appearing regularly, scoring 14 goals in only 19 matches in [[1984–85 A Group]], as the team won [[Bulgarian A Football Group|the league]]. From 1986–88, with the club now renamed Vitosha, he helped to another championship, as well as leading the goal charts in both seasons, scoring 64 goals combined – 36 in just 30 matches in [[1987–88 A Group|the first year]], although the championship was eventually lost to [[PFC CSKA Sofia|CSKA Sofia]], by three points. During this spell, he also won two [[Bulgarian Cup]]s with the club.

Sirakov moved abroad for the first time in 1988, playing for the following three years in [[La Liga]], with [[Real Zaragoza]] and [[RCD Espanyol|RCD Español]]. Subsequently, he returned to Levski: in [[1991–92 A Group|the first season upon his return]], he netted 26 times in 27 matches, but the club again lost to CSKA.

In the summer of 1992, the 30-year-old Sirakov signed with [[Ligue 1]] club [[RC Lens]], but returned to his main club in the following transfer window, helping it to three consecutive league wins, whilst being crowned the competition's top scorer on another two occasions. He finished the [[1994–95 A PFG|1994–95 season]] with [[PFC Botev Plovdiv|Botev Plovdiv]], still contributing decisively in Levski's championship win, scoring 12 in only 10 matches.

Sirakov closed his career at the age of 36, after three years with [[PFC Slavia Sofia|Slavia Sofia]], winning a [[Double (association football)|double]] in [[1995–96 A Group|1995–96]] season. During his career in his country, he amassed totals of 294 matches and 196 goals in the top division, the second best achievement after [[Petar Zhekov]]; only with his main club, Levski, he scored 165 times in 205 games, a club record.

Sirakov briefly managed Slavia Sofia in 1997. In the following decade, he worked as [[director of football]] for Levski, being fired on 7 May 2008, and being succeeded by former club and national teammate [[Daniel Borimirov]].<ref>[http://www.sofiaecho.com/article/levski-sofia-fires-coach-executive-director/id_29159/catid_71 Levski Sofia fires coach, executive director] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032514/http://www.sofiaecho.com/article/levski-sofia-fires-coach-executive-director/id_29159/catid_71 |date=4 March 2016 }}; The Sofia Echo, 7 May 2008</ref>

==International career==
Sirakov was also a regular for [[Bulgarian national football team|Bulgaria]] during 13 years, making his debut on 7 August 1983, against [[Algeria national football team|Algeria]].

He represented the nation at the [[1986 FIFA World Cup]] in Mexico – scoring against [[Italy national football team|Italy]] in the [[1986 FIFA World Cup Group A#Bulgaria vs Italy|group stage]] (1–1) and helping the national team to the [[round of 16]] – and at the [[1994 FIFA World Cup|1994 World Cup]] in the United States: during the latter, as Bulgaria finished in a best-ever fourth position, he played in all the matches, scoring against [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] for a 2–0 [[1994 FIFA World Cup Group D#Argentina vs Bulgaria|group stage]] win, also earning [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalties]] against [[Greece national football team|Greece]] and in the semifinal loss against Italy.<ref>{{FIFA player|58105}}</ref>

Aged 34, Sirakov was also picked for [[UEFA Euro 1996]] in England, playing the last of his 78 matches (24 goals) on 13 June, against [[Romania national football team|Romania]], after replacing [[Lyuboslav Penev]] in a 1–0 win.<ref>[http://www.focus-sport.net/index.php?action=news&id=1148764438463 Календар: През 2001 г. Наско Сираков става треньор на Левски] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523173226/http://www.focus-sport.net/index.php?action=news&id=1148764438463 |date=23 May 2018 }}; Focus Sport, 18 September 2012</ref>
Immediately after retiring from international play, Sirakov served as assistant to the national team, appearing with it at the [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998 World Cup]].

==Personal life==
Sirakov is married to [[Iliana Raeva]], a distinguished Bulgarian rhythmic gymnast. They have two daughters, named Slaveya and Violeta. His father, the wrestler [[Petko Sirakov]], was the first world champion from Bulgaria.

==Career statistics==

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="14"|[[Bulgaria national football team|Bulgaria]]
|1983||5||1
|-
|1984||3||1
|-
|1985||6||1
|-
|1986||11||5
|-
|1987||6||3
|-
|1988||4||1
|-
|1989||0||0
|-
|1990||2||1
|-
|1991||5||3
|-
|1992||7||2
|-
|1993||4||2
|-
|1994||13||2
|-
|1995||7||1
|-
|1996||5||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!78!!24
|}

:''Scores and results list Bulgaria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Sirakov goal.''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Nasko Sirakov
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
| align="center"|1 || 7 September 1983 || [[Ullevaal Stadion]], [[Oslo]], Norway || {{fb|NOR}} || align="center"|2–1 || align="center"|2–1 || [[UEFA Euro 1984 qualifying Group 4|Euro 1984 qualification]]
|-
| align="center"|2 || 5 December 1984 || [[Vasil Levski National Stadium]], [[Sofia]] || {{fb|LUX}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|4–0 || [[1986 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 4|1986 World Cup qualification]]
|-
| align="center"|3 || 2 May 1985 || Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria || {{fb|FRA}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–0 || 1986 World Cup qualification
|-
| align="center"|4 || rowspan="2"|9 April 1986 || rowspan="2"|Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria || rowspan="2"|{{fb|DEN}} || align="center"|1–0 || rowspan="2" align="center"|3–0 || rowspan="2"|[[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
|-
| align="center"|5 || align="center"|2–0
|-
| align="center"|6 || 31 May 1986 || [[Estadio Azteca]], [[Mexico City]], Mexico || {{fb|ITA}} || align="center"|1–1 || align="center"|1–1 || [[1986 FIFA World Cup Group A|1986 World Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|7 || rowspan="2"|29 October 1986 || rowspan="2"|[[Stade El Menzah]], [[Tunis]], Tunisia || rowspan="2"|{{fb|TUN|1959}} || align="center"|2–3 || rowspan="2" align="center"|3–3 || rowspan="2"|Friendly
|-
| align="center"|8 || align="center"|3–3
|-
| align="center"|9 || 30 April 1987 || [[Stade Josy Barthel|Stade Municipal]], [[Luxembourg City]], Luxembourg || {{fb|LUX}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|4–1 || [[UEFA Euro 1988 qualifying Group 7|Euro 1988 qualification]]
|-
| align="center"|10 || 20 May 1987 || Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria || {{fb|LUX}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|3–0 || Euro 1988 qualification
|-
| align="center"|11 || 23 September 1987 || Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria || {{fb|BEL}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–0 || Euro 1988 qualification
|-
| align="center"|12 || 23 March 1988 || Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria || {{fb|TCH}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–0 || Friendly
|- 
| 13 || 17 October 1990 || [[Stadionul Steaua (1974)|Stadionul Steaua]], [[Bucharest]], Romania || {{fb|ROM}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|3–0 || [[UEFA Euro 1992 qualifying Group 2|Euro 1992 qualification]]
|-
| align="center"|14 || 1 May 1991 || Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria || {{fb|SWI}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–3 || Euro 1992 qualification
|-
| align="center"|15 || 22 May 1991 || [[San Marino Stadium]], [[Serravalle (San Marino)|Serravalle]], San Marino || {{fb|SMR|1862}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|3–0 || Euro 1992 qualification
|-
| align="center"|16 || 20 November 1991 || Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria || {{fb|ROM}} || align="center"|1–1 || align="center"|1–1 || [[UEFA Euro 1992 qualifying Group 2|Euro 1992 qualification]]
|-
| align="center"|17 || 28 April 1992 || [[Wankdorf Stadium]], [[Bern]], Switzerland || {{fb|SWI}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–0 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|18 || 2 December 1992 || [[Ramat Gan Stadium]], [[Ramat Gan]], Israel || {{fb|ISR}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–0 || [[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA – Group 6)|1994 World Cup qualification]]
|-
| align="center"|19 || 20 February 1993 || [[Dubai]], United Arab Emirates || {{fb|UAE}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|3–1 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|20 || 12 May 1993 || Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria || {{fb|ISR}} || align="center"|2–2 || align="center"|2–2 || 1994 World Cup qualification
|-
| align="center"|21 || 3 June 1994 || Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria || {{fb|UKR}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–1 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|22 || 30 June 1994 || [[Cotton Bowl (stadium)|Cotton Bowl]], [[Dallas]], U.S. || {{fb|ARG}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–0 || [[1994 FIFA World Cup|1994 World Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|23 || 14 February 1995 || [[Estadio Malvinas Argentinas]], [[Mendoza, Argentina|Mendoza]], Argentina || {{fb|ARG}} || align="center"|1–2 || align="center"|1–4 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|24 || 2 June 1996 || Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria || {{fb|UAE}} || align="center"|4–1 || align="center"|4–1 || Friendly
|}

==Honours==
'''Levski Sofia'''
* [[Bulgarian A Football Group|A Group]]: [[1983–84 A Group|1983–84]], [[1984–85 A Group|1984–85]], [[1987–88 A Group|1987–88]], [[1992–93 A Group|1992–93]], [[1993–94 A Group|1993–94]]
* [[Bulgarian Cup]]: [[1984 Bulgarian Cup Final|1983–84]], [[1986 Bulgarian Cup Final|1985–86]], [[1992 Bulgarian Cup Final|1991–92]], [[1994 Bulgarian Cup Final|1993–94]]
* [[Cup of the Soviet Army (1983–1990)|Cup of the Soviet Army]]: 1983–84, 1986–87, [[1988 Cup of the Soviet Army Final|1987–88]]

'''Slavia Sofia'''
* [[Bulgarian A Football Group|A Group]]: [[1995–96 A Group|1995–96]]
* [[Bulgarian Cup]]: [[1996 Bulgarian Cup Final|1995–96]]

'''Bulgaria'''
*[[FIFA World Cup]]: fourth place [[1994 FIFA World Cup|1994]]

'''Individual'''
* [[Bulgarian A Football Group|A Group]] top scorer: [[1986–87 A Group|1986–87]] <small>(36 goals)</small>, [[1987–88 A Group|1987–88]] <small>(28 goals)</small>, [[1991–92 A Group|1991–92]] <small>(26 goals)</small>, [[1993–94 A Group|1993–94]] <small>(30 goals)</small>
* [[European Golden Shoe]] third place: [[:es:Bota de Oro 1986-87|1986–87]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.visittobulgaria.com/sport/Dir.asp?d=0-1-Greatest_Players-Nasko_Sirakov Bulgarian Sport Catalog profile] {{in lang|bg}}
* {{NFT player|13661}}
* {{BDFutbol|2069}}
* [http://en.levskisofia.info/player/nasko-sirakov/ Profile at LevskiSofia.info]

{{Bulgaria Squad 1986 World Cup}}
{{Bulgaria Squad 1994 World Cup}}
{{Bulgaria Squad 1996 UEFA Euro}}
{{Bulgarian A Professional Football Group top scorers}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sirakov, Nasko}}
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Bulgarian men's footballers]]
[[Category:Bulgaria men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
[[Category:PFC Levski Sofia players]]
[[Category:FC Spartak Varna players]]
[[Category:FC Haskovo players]]
[[Category:Real Zaragoza players]]
[[Category:RCD Espanyol footballers]]
[[Category:RC Lens players]]
[[Category:Botev Plovdiv players]]
[[Category:PFC Slavia Sofia players]]
[[Category:First Professional Football League (Bulgaria) players]]
[[Category:La Liga players]]
[[Category:Ligue 1 players]]
[[Category:1986 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:1994 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 1996 players]]
[[Category:Bulgarian expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in France]]
[[Category:Bulgarian expatriate sportspeople in France]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain]]
[[Category:Bulgarian expatriate sportspeople in Spain]]
[[Category:Bulgarian football managers]]
[[Category:Footballers from Stara Zagora]]
[[Category:Catalonia men's international guest footballers]]
[[Category:20th-century Bulgarian sportsmen]]