Berbatov: I'm immensely proud of my career – I know I entertained people

At first glance, it seemed Dimitar Berbatov was merely chasing a lost cause towards the corner flag at Old Trafford, right before delivering a moment of pure magic honed in his living room. Chasing Anderson's through ball right on the byline, the Bulgarian controlled with his right foot, spun 180 degrees, and effortlessly evaded James Collins in the blink of an eye. The West Ham defender was left clutching at shadows as Berbatov glided into the box to serve Cristiano Ronaldo a tap-in on a silver platter.

At the time, the Bulgarian striker had been a Manchester United player for barely a month, yet he had already etched an unforgettable memory into the minds of the Old Trafford faithful. The piece of magic unfolded in almost the exact spot where, eight years earlier, Real Madrid's Fernando Redondo famously backheeled past Henning Berg to set up another iconic European goal.

Berbatov's trademark skill even inspired a track titled 'Berbatov Spin' by Broke Boy Fly — one of three songs dedicated to him, alongside a tribute by Thessaloniki rapper Richie following his spell at PAOK towards the end of his playing days.

That single sequence perfectly encapsulated the elegance and nonchalance that defined the Bulgarian's career — from his hometown of Blagoevgrad at the foot of the Rila Mountains, via CSKA Sofia, Bayer Leverkusen, and Tottenham, to his blockbuster 2008 move to Manchester United, where he bagged a memorable hat-trick against Liverpool and a five-goal haul against Blackburn. Across his illustrious career, the forward found the back of the net 329 times.

The two-time Premier League champion has often remarked that his languid approach drew inspiration from martial arts: "When one fighter rushes and the other stays calculated, the one with proper technique will always outsmart the opponent."

Carrying himself like a rock star on the pitch, Berbatov occasionally gave off an air of indifference, but that coolness was always an intentional part of his persona, inspired by classic Spaghetti Western anti-heroes. Speaking to FourFourTwo magazine, the former striker broke down the essence of his artistry and what truly lay beneath that ice-cold demeanour.

– Looking back on your career, how would you describe your playing style?

– Honestly, and without sounding arrogant, long before people started raving about deep-lying forwards, Robbie Keane and I were doing exactly that at Tottenham — dropping off the frontline to get on the ball and create chances for others. I played as both a No. 9 and a No. 10 at the same time. I always loved that style because I possessed the technical ability and the first touch to read the game ahead of everyone else. I took immense pleasure in dropping deep and providing assists. Sometimes laying on an assist gave me more joy than scoring myself. Today everyone talks about the 'false nine', but even before my era, there were strikers orchestrating the play. Football simply moves in cycles.

– Your flair captivated supporters to the point where three songs were penned in your honour, including one titled 'The Berbatov Spin'.

– (Laughs) I had no idea about that! But that is precisely what it was about — that assist was so clean, the timing was spot on, and everything aligned perfectly, so I totally understand why someone would write a song about it. Those moments of pure improvisation brought me true satisfaction. When I pulled off the spin, I could hear the collective gasp and roar from the stands. That made it even more special, and Ronaldo’s finish simply completed the masterpiece.

– Do you find yourself watching that clip often, and do you feel that moment best defines you as a player, even though you didn't score?

– I produced many great assists that rarely get talked about, whereas that one is brought up constantly. I scored some beautiful goals as well, but that single piece of skill truly embodied my entire footballing philosophy. I always believed in flair with an end product, because without an end product, you might as well join the circus. I wanted every piece of skill to lead to a goal or a decisive pass. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't — that is football. You have to entertain the crowd, but you also have to be effective. That was who I was, and that mindset worked for me.

– You've mentioned before that after setting up Ronaldo, you deliberately tried to act completely unfazed?

– (Laughs) I do rewatch those moments from time to time because I miss the old days and the adrenaline rush of matchday. Sometimes you just want to remind yourself of what you were capable of out there. If you look at the footage after that goal... you're right, I just walked back casually acting like nothing extraordinary had happened: 'Come on lads, it's nothing, I do this all the time — why all the noise?' But inside, hearing the crowd go wild, I knew I had produced something truly special. I knew right away that they loved it.

– That deadpan look became your signature throughout your career, even after the most breathtaking pieces of skill. Where did that come from?

– It might sound funny, but it is deeply connected to how I view football — like kung fu. I always tried to glide across the pitch smoothly, as if floating effortlessly. As for the expression itself, that stemmed from a childhood movie starring Bud Spencer and Terence Hill — 'They Call Me Trinity', as well as the sequel 'Trinity Is Still My Name'. The main character was incredibly relaxed and seemingly indifferent, yet he was the fastest gun in the West, and everybody knew and respected that. Even if you underestimated him, he would catch you out in an instant with his incredible skill.

Even as a young lad, I told myself: 'I want to be like him — cool, calm, self-assured, without needing to show off or worry about what anyone else thinks.' Subconsciously, I carried that mannerism onto the pitch, and probably into my everyday life as well. I grew up a huge film buff, and cinema definitely shaped my identity as a footballer.

– Do you think individuality is being lost today, with modern players increasingly resembling robots restricted to rigid tactical systems?

– I have never been a fan of comparing different eras, but today's game is undoubtedly much more athletic and tactically driven. I understand why, because at the end of the day, results reign supreme. Finishing top wins trophies, brings higher revenue, and guarantees Champions League football, which generates even more money — football today is serious business. But beyond that, it is also an art form; football has always been my greatest passion. My era was the perfect time for me because the game still had plenty of poetry and artistry — controlling the ball, thinking ahead, outsmarting your marker, and putting a smile on the fans' faces. Of course, there are still artists today like Lionel Messi, Ronaldo, or Kevin De Bruyne, even though the latter left Manchester City. True artists still exist, but overall the game has become far more physical and demanding athletically.

– You had a remarkable journey to the top of world football, growing up in Blagoevgrad towards the end of the communist regime. Is it true you sometimes had to play with a pig's bladder?

– Yes, that is completely true. That is why it is always good to remember where you came from and keep things in perspective. I try to pass those lessons on to my own children by sharing my story. Everyone has their own path. In our family, we grew up during tougher times; we didn't have many facilities or equipment for football, so we had to improvise. Back then, we never saw those conditions as a hardship, just part of the fun. There were no smartphones or social media, so we simply headed out onto the streets looking for entertainment — sometimes getting into trouble, other times just chasing excitement.

For us, everything revolved around kicking a ball. Whenever we didn't have one, we found a way. By tradition, a pig would be slaughtered for certain holidays; the women would prepare the meat, and we would take the bladder from what was left. We would inflate it — it sounds bizarre, but it took the shape of a ball — wrap it in a towel, and suddenly we had something to play with. You kick it around as much as you can until times change and you can get your hands on a real football. Then later, with a bit of luck, patience, and relentless hard work, you make it into the professional game.

– Was playing with a pig's bladder the secret behind developing such phenomenal ball control?

– It was more down to starting at a very young age and knowing exactly what I wanted to achieve in life. Finding my calling early on kept me away from many typical teenage mistakes. Of course, I made mistakes too, but they were minor and easy to correct. I was completely focused and dedicated to becoming a professional footballer. That sheer determination saved me and paved my way to the top.

– You have mentioned in the past that fan chants about you, despite being positive, sometimes made you feel uncomfortable?

– Yes, I first experienced that at Spurs after moving to England. When I played in Germany, supporters did similar things, but not on the scale you see in England, where fans have dedicated songs and chant your name relentlessly. The first time I heard it, I thought: 'What is going on?' It thrust me straight into the spotlight, and I wasn't ready for that — I just wanted to play football, even though on the pitch you are in the limelight anyway. At that moment, I was thinking: 'Guys, what's happening? Please stop.' I felt awkward, and to be honest — yes, it's nice, it's a wonderful gesture and I appreciate it, but at times it genuinely made me uncomfortable.

– That sounds surprising for an elite player – someone like Ronaldo would surely thrive under that kind of adoration?

– Of course, it depends on your personality, how you view life, and how you take those gestures. Sometimes, when I had just scored four or five goals, when I felt confident and full of energy while the fans were chanting my name — I would hum along in my head and feel on top of the world! It all depends on the moment.

– During times when you weren't feeling as confident, could that calm persona have been a mask hiding your true feelings?

– Absolutely. Everyone hits rough patches in their career. In my case, as a striker, when the goals dry up, you immediately find yourself under the microscope in a negative way. The role automatically demands goals. If you're not finding the net, people assume you aren't doing your job. Of course, leading the line entails far more than that — how you play, how you move, how you create space, hold the ball up, and bring teammates into the game. But at the end of the day, goals are what matter most.

That is why going through goal droughts was so tough — I would sit at home replaying the match over and over in my head. I would ask myself what went wrong and what I needed to change next time to fix it. Sometimes that headspace can be dangerous, because if you don't know how to break out of that negative spiral, you can get trapped in it for a long time. That is why in football it often isn't just about what you can do with your feet, but what is happening inside your head. If your mind isn't in the right place, your feet will suffer, and it won't end well for you.

That is something I always talk about with young players, especially back home in Bulgaria. Every striker struggles when the goals dry up — I have been there myself. But the only solution is mental toughness. It is difficult, but having the right support network around you — your wife, children, partner, agent, teammates, manager — makes a world of difference. If you can help yourself, even better — it will only make you stronger. Just don't let yourself linger in negative thoughts for too long.

– What have you been up to since hanging up your boots? Have you ever been tempted to step into management?

– Every former player thinks they would make a fantastic manager. If you ask anyone, they'll tell you: 'Of course, I'd be the best!' Even if they don't say it out loud, they believe it, because that is how we are wired — strikers especially, with big egos, thinking we know everything! Naturally, that is far from the truth. I have been tempted, I have considered it, and I do hold a UEFA 'A' coaching licence, but back home I run my foundation. We support talented children in arts, sports, and science, doing our best to encourage them and help them navigate their teenage years with a positive mindset regarding their choices, their outlook on life, and their future ambitions. I try to inspire them through my own journey. I also serve as an ambassador for Manchester United and pursue other business ventures. When people here in Bulgaria ask how I am doing, I have no right to complain, because I fulfilled my potential and reached the pinnacle on a personal level. Compared to how others live here, I truly have nothing to complain about.

– How proud are you looking back at your career?

– Immensely proud, because coming from a small country like Bulgaria — making it to England and representing Manchester United was a massive honour. I know how tirelessly I had to work to achieve that, and Manchester United was the pinnacle of my career. Some of the players I shared a dressing room with achieved more than me, others less, but I was fortunate to become part of the history of such a legendary club — alongside all the other teams that helped me get there. There were moments when major trophies slipped away, but that is football — it can be cruel, but you take the hit on the chin and move forward.

– How would you like Dimitar Berbatov the footballer to be remembered?

– I hope I entertained people — in fact, I know I did. I always gave everything to bring that joy, even when it didn't look like it on the surface or when things didn't come off. But even when a move broke down, I was always ready to try it again — always keeping the end result in mind, of course. When people watch clips of my goals and assists, I want them to see poetry in motion: how I improvised, how I danced with the ball, my first touch, how I read the game. If I can inspire a young boy or girl to go out and try to recreate what I did — that means everything.