BARCELONA legend Hristo Stoichkov has lifted the lid on his quarantine habit – including drinking hot water and eating plenty of garlic and onion.
The 54-year-old lives in Miami where he works for the Spanish language TV network Univision, but the Bulgarian icon has revealed he is staying indoors to avoid contracting coronavirus.
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Hristo Stoichkov has claimed he is staying at home to avoid contracting Covid-19
Stoichkov enjoyed two spells with Barca in the 1990s, winning five LaLiga titles, the Copa del Rey, the Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup and the Champions League.
And it was during his time at the Nou Camp where he won the prestigious Ballon d’Or award after helping Bulgaria to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 1994.
Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Stoichkov – who is living with his wife and mother-in-law – has commented on the steps he is making to avoid Covid-19.
He said: “I eat a lot of garlic, onion, I drink hot water and I take long baths of hot water to protect myself from this virus.
“[I live with] my wife, and my mother-in-law, who is 80 years old and is the one we have to take care of the most because the coronavirus is mainly taken to older people.
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“My daughter lives nearby and I haven’t seen my grandson in a week, we can’t risk it. It is a disease that is transmitted very easily.”
Stoichkov also revealed he is unsure if the Champions League final will be played this season – despite Uefa pushing the tournament back to the end of June.
Reflecting on American sports being postponed, he added: “Yes, everything is stopped to avoid contagions. In Europe, I find it very difficult to play the Champions League final.
“Look how the virus is spreading across Europe … Now in England, its Prime Minister has already changed the message. And it has not yet reached countries seriously.
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“For example in Turkey 1,200 cases have been diagnosed and there are few deaths because it is at the beginning of everything, a country of 100 million people.
“And do you really believe that European football can be restarted? That you can play a final in Istanbul even if you spend it in June? I am pessimistic.”
LaLiga president Javier Tebas believes that this campaign can be concluded should teams play every 48 hours, with Champions League games to be played on Saturdays.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk