Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov ( bulgarian : Димитър Иванов Бербатов ; born 30 January 1981 ) [ 3 ] is a bulgarian early professional football player. A hitter, he captained the Bulgaria home team from 2006 to 2010, and is the nation ‘s all-time lead goalscorer. He is regarded as one of the greatest bulgarian players of all fourth dimension. [ 5 ] Berbatov became the beginning bulgarian ever to play in the Premier League when Tottenham Hotspur bought him from german side Bayer Leverkusen in 2006. Born in Blagoevgrad, Berbatov started out with his home-town cabaret Pirin before joining CSKA Sofia as a 17-year-old in 1998. [ 6 ] He was signed by Bayer Leverkusen of Germany in January 2001 and played in his first Champions League final 18 months by and by, coming on as a substitute in the 2002 UEFA Champions League Final, which Leverkusen lost 2–1 to Real Madrid.
Reading: Dimitar Berbatov
After five-and-a-half years with Leverkusen, he joined English club Tottenham Hotspur in July 2006, where he spent two years before moving to Manchester United. He played in his moment Champions League final in 2009, during his side ‘s 2–0 kill against Barcelona. After four seasons with United, during which clock he won two Premier League titles in 2008–09 and 2010–11, a well as the Premier League Golden Boot in 2010–11, he joined Fulham in August 2012. He had later spells in France with Monaco, Greece with PAOK, and India with Kerala Blasters, before retiring in 2019. Berbatov made his debut for Bulgaria on 17 November 1999, aged 18. [ 7 ] [ 8 ] He represented Bulgaria at Euro 2004 which was the only major tournament he played at for his area, owing to the team ‘s failure to qualify for other tournaments. [ 9 ] Berbatov captained the team from 2006 until May 2010, [ 10 ] when he announced his retirement from international football, leaving his count for Bulgaria standing at 48 goals from 78 matches. [ 11 ] He won the bulgarian Footballer of the year a read seven times, surpassing the phone number of wins by Hristo Stoichkov .
early life [edit ]
Berbatov was born on 30 January 1981 in Blagoevgrad to Ivan Berbatov and Margarita Berbatova, both themselves professional athletes : Ivan was a football player with Pirin and CSKA Sofia, [ 6 ] while Margarita was a handball actor. [ 12 ] His favor team was the italian cabaret Milan, and he consequently modelled himself after Marco van Basten, the celebrated Dutch ahead for that team .
Club career [edit ]
CSKA Sofia [edit ]
Berbatov making a node appearance for Pirin in a friendly in 2007 Berbatov began his young career with his home-town baseball club, Pirin, where his endowment was spotted and he scored 77 goals for their allow team in 92 appearances. Berbatov joined the young person squad of his father ‘s former club, CSKA Sofia, after being spotted by lookout and director Dimitar Penev in 1998. [ 13 ] He signed his foremost professional contract with the club and made his debut during the 1998–99 temper, at the age of 18. He won the bulgarian Cup with CSKA at the end of that season. Berbatov ‘s first game in Europe came in September 1999, in a 2–0 get the better of against his childhood team Newcastle United ; [ 14 ] [ 15 ] it was during that season, 1999–2000, that he started to make his name, scoring 14 goals in 27 league matches. [ 16 ] On 24 August 2000, Berbatov scored five goals in the 8–0 home win over Constructorul Chișinău in a UEFA Cup first qualifying round meet, becoming the only CSKA Sofia musician to manage this feat in a single game in the european tournaments. [ 17 ] Berbatov about signed for italian side Lecce in June 2000, even passing a medical before the be active collapsed at the final hour. [ 18 ]
Bayer Leverkusen [edit ]
A prevail of nine goals in football team games during the beginning half of the 2000–01 season was enough to persuade german club Bayer Leverkusen to pay €1.3 million to sign a four-year compress with Berbatov on 1 January 2001. [ 19 ] Berbatov played for the golf club ‘s reserve team in the Oberliga Nordrhein at first, and scored six goals in seven appearances before being promoted to the first team. [ 20 ] He made his team debut in a 4–3 pre-season friendly succeed against D.C. United, scoring a hat-trick. [ 21 ] His league debut for the inaugural team came on 10 February 2001, replacing Ulf Kirsten in a 4–1 victory against 1. FC Köln. [ 22 ] Berbatov found himself being used as a ersatz by director Berti Vogts, making six appearances and scoring no goals as Leverkusen finished fourth and qualified for the adopt season ‘s UEFA Champions League. [ 20 ] During the following season, Berbatov scored 16 goals and made important contributions to the club ‘s Champions League crusade, [ 23 ] [ 24 ] score in a 4–2 acquire over English golf club Liverpool in the quarter-finals as Leverkusen finally reached the concluding. [ 25 ] In the final itself, against Real Madrid, Berbatov came on as a stand-in for Thomas Brdarić after 38 minutes before Leverkusen lost 2–1. [ 26 ] Leverkusen besides finished as runner-up in the Bundesliga behind Borussia Dortmund, [ 27 ] and lost the DFB–Pokal concluding 4–2 to Schalke 04, [ 28 ] [ 29 ] therefore completing an unusual treble of runner-up finishes. [ 30 ] Berbatov established his position as the first-choice forward during the next season, 2002–03, and netted his team ‘s goal against Manchester United on 24 September 2002, during a 2–1 frustration for Leverkusen. [ 31 ] He scored 16 goals in 24 league appearances during the 2003–04 season, [ 23 ] before the follow two seasons saw the bulgarian raise awareness of his endowment by netting 46 goals in the league over the two seasons and five times in the 2004–05 Champions League. During this fourth dimension, he was linked with numerous foreign clubs, including Celtic, Atlético Madrid and Liverpool. [ 32 ] [ 33 ] [ 34 ]
Tottenham Hotspur [edit ]
Tottenham Hotspur reached an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen for Berbatov ‘s transfer in May 2006 ; [ 35 ] [ 36 ] the fee of €16 million ( £ 10.9 million ) made him the most expensive bulgarian football player always. [ 37 ] [ 38 ] After he was granted a british exploit license, the transfer was completed on 1 July 2006. [ 39 ] After Tottenham lost 2–0 to Bolton Wanderers in Berbatov ‘s first league match in England on 19 August 2006, [ 40 ] he scored his first finish for Spurs three days subsequently in a 2–0 home victory against Sheffield United. [ 41 ]
Berbatov ‘s seven goals in eight european games during his debut season for Tottenham helped the club to secure circus tent blemish during the UEFA Cup ‘s group stage, [ 42 ] [ 43 ] [ 44 ] making his second european debut in October 2006, scoring a goal during a 2–0 victory against Beşiktaş. [ 45 ] He made a entire of eight appearances, scoring seven goals as Tottenham were eliminated 3–4 on aggregate against Sevilla. [ 46 ] [ 47 ] however, he took a while to adapt to the Premier League, taking a few months to regain the league shape he had shown at Leverkusen. He gave a strong performance against Wigan Athletic in November 2006, scoring one and creating the other two in a 3–1 gain for Spurs, [ 48 ] and began to score regularly. [ 49 ] He scored his first FA Cup goals on 18 February 2007 when he came on as a second-half substitute in a 4–0 winnings over Fulham and netted two of the four goals. [ 50 ] Berbatov and Spurs teammate Robbie Keane were named joint winners of the Premier League Player of the Month award for April 2007, and in doing sol became the first base players to share the award since February 2004. [ 51 ] He ended the 2006–07 season with 12 goals in 33 appearances in the Premier League, [ 52 ] and won both the Tottenham Hotspur Player of the Season award and a place in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year. [ 53 ] Berbatov scored his beginning Premier League hat-trick on 29 December 2007, scoring four in a 6–4 win over Reading. [ 54 ] His first base cup final for Tottenham came on 24 February 2008 in the Football League Cup ; Spurs faced Chelsea at Wembley Stadium. Berbatov scored an equalising penalty as Tottenham went on to win the crippled 2–1 after extra time. [ 55 ] He ended the season with 15 league goals. [ 52 ] Before the adjacent temper, 2008–09, Manchester United director Alex Ferguson was quoted by newspapers as saying he expected to sign Berbatov ; Tottenham submitted a charge to the Premier League alleging that Manchester United had broken league rules. [ 56 ] [ 57 ] Ongoing rumor of a significant bid by Ferguson ‘s club unsettled him, and Berbatov was dropped for the games against Sunderland and Chelsea during August, the season ‘s first calendar month. [ 58 ]
manchester United [edit ]
Berbatov moved to Manchester United on 1 September 2008, costing the club £30.75 million and signing a four-year compress. [ 59 ] [ 60 ] [ 61 ] Tottenham had besides accepted a bid from Manchester City, but Berbatov claimed after signing for United that he “ would not even have thought about Manchester City ”. [ 62 ] Arsenal director Arsène Wenger, meanwhile, accused Tottenham of having used the charge to the Premier League to negotiate a higher price for Berbatov from Manchester United. [ 63 ]
Berbatov playing for Manchester United in October 2008, during a Champions League match against Celtic Berbatov marked his Manchester United debut away at Liverpool with an aid for a Carlos Tevez finish, but United lost the game 2–1. [ 64 ] His first two goals for the club came in the 3–0 gain away to Aalborg BK in the Champions League group stagecoach on 30 September 2008. [ 65 ] He netted his first league goals in Manchester United semblance during a 4–0 victory over West Bromwich Albion. Alex Ferguson defended Berbatov after he was criticised for missing a punishment during the 2008–09 FA Cup semi-final against Everton, which Manchester United finally lost by a penalty shoot-out. [ 66 ] Soon after, Berbatov scored the fifth of United ‘s goals as they came back from 2–0 down at half-time to win 5–2 against his former team, Tottenham Hotspur. [ 67 ] When Manchester United won the Premier League on 16 May 2009, Berbatov became the first gear bulgarian to play in an english Premier League title-winning team. [ 68 ] After Berbatov struggled to make an affect during the 2009–10 season, there was some media speculation that Berbatov would leave Manchester United, but this was denied by Alex Ferguson. [ 69 ]
“ “ I think we are being rewarded this season for our confidence in a player who has a contact of genius about him. ”
Alex Ferguson on Berbatov following his hat-trick against Liverpool in September 2010. [ 70 ]
Berbatov scored United ‘s third base goal in the 92nd moment of their 3–1 succeed over Chelsea in the 2010 Community Shield on 8 August. [ 71 ] Eight days late, Berbatov scored his and United ‘s first gear league goal of the season, opening the score in their 3–0 home victory over Newcastle United in the club ‘s first match of the campaign. [ 72 ] He scored his first hat-trick for United on 19 September, scoring all three of his team ‘s goals in a 3–2 base win over rivals Liverpool ; the second gear goal, an overhead gripe, became a rival for the league ‘s Goal of the Season. [ 73 ] It was the first hat-trick by a Manchester United player against Liverpool in 64 years. [ 74 ] Berbatov made his hundredth appearance for United on 10 November in a 0–0 away league draw in the Manchester bowler hat on 11 November 2010. [ 75 ] Sixteen days by and by, he tied a league record by scoring five goals in a game during a 7–1 home victory over Blackburn Rovers ; he was the first non-Englishman to net five in a Premier League couple, and joined Andrew Cole, Alan Shearer and Jermain Defoe as the only players overall to do so. [ 76 ] He was named bulgarian Footballer of the year for a record seventh clock time on 20 December 2010. [ 77 ] Berbatov netted his first goals of the 2011 calendar year with his third base hat-trick of the season in a 5–0 home plate win over Birmingham City on 22 January. [ 78 ] This made him the first United player since Ruud avant-garde Nistelrooy ( in 2002–03 ) to score three hat-tricks in the same season. [ 79 ] In January 2011, Berbatov was named by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics as Europe ‘s most popular football player among active players for 2010. [ 80 ] After being dropped to the bench for games against Arsenal and Marseille, Berbatov returned as a second-half alternate for Javier Hernández against Bolton Wanderers on 19 March and scored the achiever in the 88th hour ( his 20th goal of the season ), giving United a 1–0 victory. [ 81 ] He scored his 21st in a follow Premier League start against Fulham where United won 2–0. As top scorekeeper of Premier League, Berbatov was a extremity of the PFA Team of the year for the 2010–11 temper aboard Carlos Tevez. Berbatov besides shared the Premier League Golden Boot prize with his former Manchester United teammate. [ 82 ] On 28 May 2011, he was left out of the Manchester United police squad for the Champions League Final, in which United lost 3–1 to Barcelona. [ 83 ]
Berbatov playing for Manchester United in 2011 Berbatov played his inaugural game of the 2011–12 season in an away match against West Bromwich Albion, coming on as a stand-in replacing Danny Welbeck, a crippled which United won 2–1. Berbatov appeared from the substitute ‘s bench against Chelsea, replacing the injure Javier Hernández. United won the game 3–1. Berbatov made his first base startle of the season in the following game, a League Cup third base beat collide with rivals Leeds United. He played the full game and was required to play at concentrate bet on for the last 10 minutes ; youngster Zeki Fryers picked up an injury and United had already used all three permitted substitutes. Berbatov struggled for chances on the night, but United did win the game 3–0. On 25 October 2011, he scored the beginning goal, after a clean passing build-up and besides helped set up a finish for Michael Owen in a 3–0 winnings against Aldershot Town in the one-fourth round off of the League Cup. [ 84 ] On 22 November 2011, Berbatov ended his long run without a finish in the Champions League by scoring the equalizer in a home plot against Benfica in a 2–2 draw. On 21 December 2011, he came on as a second-half stand-in during a Premier League match against Fulham replacing Danny Welbeck. He scored his fiftieth goal for Manchester United in all competitions, frankincense becoming Manchester United ‘s fiftieth actor to score 50 goals for the club. This was besides his beginning finish of the 2011–12 Premier League season. On 26 December 2011, Berbatov scored a hat-trick in a 5–0 win against Wigan Athletic. This was Berbatov ‘s fourth Premier League hat trick for Manchester United and fifth overall in the part. In the next league bet on against Blackburn Rovers, Berbatov gave away a first gear one-half penalty, when he dragged Christopher Samba to the grate. In the second half, after going 2–0 behind, United responded promptly with two goals from Berbatov. The first, he directed his header past the custodian after Rafael da Silva ‘s mishit cross, and then he fired home Antonio Valencia ‘s pullback to level the plot. however, United went on to lose the game 3–2. In the 2012 January transmit window, Berbatov was linked with a be active to Bayern Munich, but the rumor was quashed when Berbatov ‘s contract was extended for another class. [ 85 ] On 31 January, Berbatov scored a finish in a 2–0 league winnings at Old Trafford against Stoke City, scoring the second of two penalties on the night .
Fulham [edit ]
Berbatov playing for Fulham On 31 August 2012, it was announced Berbatov had signed a biennial abridge with Fulham for an undisclosed fee. [ 86 ] He made his league debut the following sidereal day, in a 3–0 loss against West Ham United, coming off the bench for Fulham at half-time. On 15 September, he made his dwelling debut and scored twice in a 3–0 acquire against West Bromwich Albion. [ 87 ] On 27 October he scored Fulham ‘s third goal in a 3–3 away draw with Reading. On 10 November Berbatov played 90 minutes against Arsenal, in a game in which he made an serve and scored twice for so far another 3–3 draw. [ 88 ]
Read more: Lille OSC
After scoring against Southampton on 26 December 2012, Berbatov took off his shirt to reveal the words “ keep steady and pass me the ball ” written on his vest, a celebration for which he was yellow-carded and which coach Martin Jol described as “ not the brightest thing to do ”. [ 89 ] On 1 January 2013, Berbatov scored the first Premier League goal of the newly year when he opened the scoring away at West Bromwich Albion in an important 2–1 away win for Fulham. [ citation needed ] On 30 January 2013, his 32nd birthday, he scored the first in a 3–1 home gain against West Ham, raising his run in the Premier League to eight since joining the Cottagers. [ 90 ] He then scored the merely goal in the game against Stoke City on 23 February, followed by another one in the 2–2 draw with Sunderland on 2 March. In Fulham ‘s future Premier League game Berbatov scored the entirely goal against his old side in a surprise 0–1 away win to Tottenham. On 1 April 2013, Berbatov scored two goals against QPR in a 3–2 gain at Craven Cottage, one of them from the penalty spot. This took his season tally in the league to 13 goals, and it besides made him the first Fulham player to score in four straight league games since Steed Malbranque in 2003. Berbatov ‘s future goal came against Liverpool in the penultimate bet on of the season. Berbatov rounded off the season with a goal away at Swansea City on the final day in a 3–0 away acquire. This took his score to 15 goals in his debut temper for Fulham .
monaco [edit ]
On the January 2014 deadline, it was reported that AS Monaco had signed Berbatov to replace the hurt Radamel Falcao for the remainder of the season. At first, it was believed to be a loanword move, although it was later revealed that Fulham had released Berbatov. [ 91 ] [ 92 ] [ 93 ] Berbatov made his Ligue 1 debut in a 1–1 home draw against Paris Saint-Germain on 9 February, coming on as a second-half utility for Valère Germain. His first goal came three days former, scoring in supernumerary time for a 1–0 gain over Nice in the Coupe de France. Berbatov scored his first finish in the league on 8 March in a 2–1 home win against Sochaux. He ended the season with 6 goals from 12 league games and on 16 May, he signed a new annual narrow at the golf club. [ 94 ] In the first gear leg of the Champions League meet against Arsenal, Berbatov scored a second away goal, in a 3–1 victory. [ 95 ] He left the club on 1 June 2015, after the club decided against renewing his contract, with Monaco releasing a statement praising the 34-year-old for his “ fictional character, his professionalism and his great endowment ”. Monaco president Vadim Vasilyev added : “ He is clearly among the greatest strikers who have played for Monaco. We are gallant of what he brought to the club and wish him the best in the future. ” [ 96 ]
PAOK [edit ]
On 2 September 2015, it was announced that Berbatov had signed a annual contract with Greek clubhouse PAOK. [ 97 ] The club ‘s owner Ivan Savvidis had been trying to bring Berbatov to the club for three years and he finally convinced him to join. On 10 June 2016, he was released after a unmarried season. [ 98 ]
Kerala Blasters [edit ]
After a year without a club, Berbatov signed with indian Super League club Kerala Blasters on 23 August 2017 on a annual deal for a wage of ₹ 75 million ( approximately £900,000 ). [ 99 ] [ 100 ] Berbatov scored his first finish against ATK on 8 February 2018. [ 101 ] Berbatov was chiefly used as a stand-in or as a defensive midfielder alternatively of his prime position as a striker and commented that the then Kerala Blasters director David James used “ absurd tactics ”. He left the club at the end of the regular temper in March 2018. [ 102 ]
retirement [edit ]
After a year-and-a-half without a club, but training respective times with Beroe Stara Zagora and CSKA 1948, Berbatov formally announced his retirement from football on 19 September 2019. [ 103 ]
International career [edit ]
Berbatov made his introduction for Bulgaria on 17 November 1999, aged 18, when he came on as a stand-in for Aleksandar Aleksandrov in a 1–0 friendly passing against Greece. [ 104 ] [ 105 ] He scored his first base goal for his country on 12 February 2000 in another friendly defeat, 3–2 against Chile, [ 104 ] [ 106 ] and represented Bulgaria at Euro 2004. This was the only major tournament he played at for his state, owing to the team ‘s failure to qualify for other tournaments. [ 107 ] In 2007, he scored two goals in the final examination of the Cyprus International Football Tournament against the host nation, Cyprus, to give Bulgaria a 3–0 win and Berbatov his only international entitle with the national team. [ 108 ] He scored a hat-trick in the 6–2 home win in a 2010 World Cup reservation match against Georgia in October 2009, enabling him to bring his goal score for the national english to 46 goals, precisely one light of the then all-time top scorer for Bulgaria, Hristo Bonev ; [ 109 ] after scoring two goals against Malta during a 4–1 friendly away win during the following month, he took the record. [ 110 ] Berbatov captained the team from 2006 until May 2010, [ 111 ] when he announced his retirement from international football, leaving his tally for Bulgaria standing at 48 goals from 78 matches. [ 112 ] In February 2012, newly appointed Bulgaria head coach Lyuboslav Penev revealed that Berbatov was bequeath to consider coming out of external retirement and participate in an approaching friendly against Hungary. Berbatov finally decided against accepting a call-up for the equal, as he did n’t feel that he was in top supreme headquarters allied powers europe, but at the time did not rule out a return to the national side at some point in the future. [ 111 ] In September 2012, he reconfirmed his international retirement. [ 113 ]
Soccer Aid [edit ]
In May 2016 it was revealed that Berbatov would return to Old Trafford to play for the Rest of the World in Soccer Aid, a charity football match in aid of the United Nations Children ‘s Emergency Fund ( UNICEF ), alongside the likes of Jaap Stam, Robbie Fowler and Jamie Carragher. [ 114 ] He scored two goals in an eventual 3–2 loss to England .
manner of fun [edit ]
“ I am a relax guy. I play that way and I ca n’t change my manner. I watch games and see guys who panic on the ball – they look so anxious. I can be calm, because I sometimes know what I want to do before the ball comes to me. The bos [ Alex Ferguson ] tells me not to change anything – he gives me exemption to express my qualities. ”
Berbatov describes his style of fun in 2009 [ 115 ]
Berbatov was known for his footballing intelligence, technical ability, ball control, and composure ; in particular, his unhurried position in presence of goal was described by The Scotsman’ mho Tom Lappin as “ elegant and calm ”. He besides possessed exceeding preciseness when pass and shoot, and took his time when on attack in holy order to ensure the best travel possible. As such, he was often used as a deep-lying center forward, receiving passes from the midfield, holding the testis astir and then using his tactical acumen and well-honed skill to bring his teammates into the bet on. He was besides deployed as a alone striker at times, due to his goalscoring ability. His impressive physical stature combined with these attributes to form a strong all-around attacking musician. [ 115 ] [ 116 ] [ 117 ] [ 118 ] [ 119 ] It was because of these characteristics that he was signed by Manchester United, who intended for Berbatov to complement the agonistic and busy vogue of their english striker Wayne Rooney. Whereas Rooney was known for exerting himself vigorously for the entirety of a match, Berbatov employed a more laid-back and compose style, and because of this was sometimes criticised by observers who interpreted this as indolence ; [ 115 ] [ 116 ] he was besides accused of being inconsistent at times by certain pundits. [ 120 ] On signing for Manchester United, Berbatov attracted comparisons with former United forth Eric Cantona, not only because of his dreamy and faultless contact, but besides because of his bravado and perceived arrogance. [ 117 ] Berbatov was, however, capable of adapting his stylus to play more directly when required ; in April 2010, for exercise, with Rooney absent, Berbatov gave a performance against his former side Tottenham which, in James Ducker ‘s words, was as if he had “ decided to take it upon himself to impersonate the England hitter ”. Combining uncharacteristic determination and effort with his regular technical foul skill, he contributed to the first Manchester United finish and helped United to a 3–1 victory. [ 121 ]
personal life [edit ]
Berbatov learned to speak english by watching the american Godfather series of films ; [ 122 ] outside football, he lists his hobbies as reap and basketball. [ 123 ] Berbatov is a patronize of children ‘s charities in his native Bulgaria, supporting five care homes. He is besides the founder of the Dimitar Berbatov Foundation, which helps young people to develop their talents. Berbatov ‘s long-time girlfriend, Elena, gave birth to their beginning child, a daughter named Dea, on 15 October 2009 at a hospital in Sofia. [ 125 ] In November 2012, he had his second daughter, Elia. [ 126 ] Berbatov claims that at the age of eighteen, he was held hostage with plans of making him sign for Georgi Iliev ‘s football team, Levski Kyustendil. Berbatov ‘s founder contacted CSKA Sofia ‘s boss Iliya Pavlov who set things straightaway. [ 127 ] In 2009, reports emerged that Berbatov was forced to leave Bulgaria, since local mafia threatened to kidnap his family. [ 16 ] In November 2018, Berbatov formally unveiled his autobiography По моя начин ( In my own way ). [ 128 ]
career statistics [edit ]
baseball club [edit ]
1. ^ Includes other competitive competitions, including the FA Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup, FIFA Club World Cup
International [edit ]
Appearances and goals by national team and year[104]
National team
Year
Apps
Goals
Bulgaria
1999
1
0
2000
3
2
2001
8
4
2002
5
2
2003
8
7
2004
12
9
2005
10
7
2006
6
0
2007
9
8
2008
7
2
2009
8
7
2010
1
0
Total
78
48
- Scores and results list Bulgaria’s goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Berbatov goal.[104]
Honours [edit ]
CSKA Sofia
Bayer Leverkusen
Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester United
Individual