# Petar Zhekov

> Bulgarian footballer (1944–2023)

**Wikidata**: [Q342424](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q342424)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petar_Zhekov)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/petar-zhekov

## Summary
Petar Zhekov was a Bulgarian footballer who played professionally from the 1960s through the 1970s. He represented Bulgaria at the international level and is remembered as one of the country's notable football players of his era.

## Biography
- Born: 1944
- Nationality: Bulgarian
- Education: Not specified in source material
- Known for: Professional football player
- Employer(s): Not specified in source material
- Field(s): Association football

## Contributions
Petar Zhekov contributed to Bulgarian football as a professional player during the 1960s and 1970s. He represented Bulgaria in international competitions, helping to raise the profile of Bulgarian football on the global stage during his playing career.

## FAQs
What was Petar Zhekov's profession?
Petar Zhekov was a professional association football player who represented Bulgaria in international competitions during the 1960s and 1970s.

When did Petar Zhekov live?
Petar Zhekov was born in 1944 and passed away in 2023, living to the age of 79.

What country did Petar Zhekov represent?
Petar Zhekov represented Bulgaria as a professional footballer, playing for the national team in international competitions.

## Why They Matter
Petar Zhekov matters as a representative of Bulgarian football during a significant period in the country's sporting history. As a national team player, he contributed to Bulgaria's presence in international football during the Cold War era, when Eastern European teams were establishing themselves on the world stage.

## Notable For
- Professional footballer for Bulgaria
- Represented Bulgaria in international competitions
- Played during the 1960s-1970s era of Bulgarian football
- Part of Bulgaria's football generation during the Cold War period

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Petar Zhekov was born in 1944 in Bulgaria, growing up in the post-World War II period when the country was establishing itself as a socialist state under Soviet influence. The exact location of his birth within Bulgaria is not specified in the available source material.

### Football Career
Zhekov's professional career spanned the 1960s and 1970s, a period when Bulgarian football was developing its identity on the international stage. As an association football player, he competed at the highest levels of the sport in Bulgaria and represented his country in international matches.

### International Representation
As a member of the Bulgarian national football team, Zhekov participated in international competitions during a significant era for Eastern European football. His contributions helped maintain Bulgaria's presence in international football during the Cold War period, when many Eastern Bloc nations were working to establish themselves in global sports.

### Legacy in Bulgarian Football
Zhekov's career coincided with a period of growth for Bulgarian football, as the country sought to establish itself as a competitive force in European and world football. His participation in the national team during this era contributed to the development of Bulgarian football's international reputation.

### Historical Context
Playing during the 1960s and 1970s, Zhekov's career unfolded against the backdrop of Bulgaria's socialist period, when sports were often used as a means of international diplomacy and national pride. His role as a national team player placed him at the intersection of sports and politics during this significant historical period.

## References

1. Transfermarkt
2. FBref
3. [Почина легендарният голмайстор Петър Жеков, носител на "Златната обувка". 2023](https://www.24chasa.bg/sport/article/13800152)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. [Source](https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/clubs/players/36019/)