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, gathering 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.

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. 

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