Lazarov: Bulgaria player who challenged hearing loss and achieved his dream of joining the national team

UEFA has highlighted the story of Georgi Lazarov, a forward for Bulgarian club Cherno More, who achieved his dream of receiving his first call-up to the Bulgaria national team despite suffering from severe hearing impairment since childhood.

Georgi Lazarov, aged 22, lost a significant portion of his hearing ability due to an illness when he was just two months old. He has been using hearing aids since he turned two, but he has not allowed this struggle to stand in the way of his ambition to become a professional footballer.

Lazarov said: "Throughout my life, I have challenged the odds. I was told that I would never be able to become a professional football player, but I never stopped believing in myself."

The report clarified that the player grew up in the city of Plovdiv and faced a difficult decision regarding his hearing condition, as he chose to continue using hearing aids instead of undergoing cochlear implant surgery, fearing the impact of the risks associated with head injuries on his football career.

Georgi Lazarov has successfully progressed through the age categories to reach the first team, scoring 11 goals and providing 3 assists in 45 matches with Cherno More in the Bulgarian league. He has also played 9 matches with the Bulgaria U21 national team, including a victory over Portugal by 2-1 last month.

Speaking about his first call-up to the senior national team, Georgi Lazarov said: "Getting the chance to play with the Bulgaria national team is a very special moment for me and my entire family, who have stood by me throughout these years."

Lazarov hopes that his story will be an inspiration for future generations, especially for young people facing similar challenges, sending them a simple message: "One thing only, keep dreaming. They must know that life is full of difficult situations, but the most important thing is to never give up."