Martin Petrov
A blisteringly fast left winger from Bulgaria who brought direct, old-fashioned wing play to the top leagues in Germany, Spain, and England.
Born 1979 (age 47)·Bulgarian footballer·Birthday: January 15·Generation X
Biography
Martin Petrov's career was a study in explosive, linear speed. Hailing from Bulgaria, he made his name in Germany with Wolfsburg, where his ability to hug the touchline and fire in crosses or cut inside to unleash a fierce shot made him a fan favorite. This earned him a move to the Spanish capital with Atlético Madrid, where he continued to be a reliable source of goals from wide areas. His next stop was the nascent project of Manchester City under new ownership, where he became an immediate impact player, his direct style a constant threat in the Premier League. Though injuries occasionally hampered him, Petrov's commitment was never in question; he played with a recognizable intensity and a powerful left foot that could decide games in an instant. For the Bulgarian national team, he was a stalwart for over a decade, carrying the attacking hopes of a nation in the post-Stoichkov era.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Martin was born in 1979, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Martin Was Born
The biggest hits of 1979
#1 Movie
Kramer vs. Kramer
Best Picture
Kramer vs. Kramer
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Martin's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1979Born
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1984Started school
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1992Became a teenager
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1995Could drive
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1997Could vote
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Turned 21
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2009Turned 30
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 40
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 47 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the DFB-Ligapokal (German League Cup) with VfL Wolfsburg in 2004.
- Scored 19 goals in 90 appearances for the Bulgarian national team, serving as a key attacker for over a decade.
- Was a regular starter for Manchester City during the early stages of the club's transformative takeover in 2008-2009.
Did You Know?
His son, Kristian Petrov, is also a professional footballer and has played for the youth teams of Manchester City and Sporting CP.
He began his professional career at CSKA Sofia, the club where his father also played.
He scored on his Premier League debut for Manchester City against West Ham United in August 2007.
“I just put my head down and ran. The finish line is the only thing that matters.”
