Tired Berbatov quits international career
Source: Agencies |
May 14, 2010, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
BULGARIA captain Dimitar Berbatov has quit the national team hinting that fatigue and family commitments were behind his surprise announcement.
"It was a difficult decision but sometimes we have to take difficult decisions," the 29-year old Manchester United striker told a news conference in Sofia yesterday. "I needed a long time but there's no way back. It's over," said Berbatov, who became Bulgaria's all-time leading scorer last November when he netted his 48th goal in a friendly against Malta on his 74th international appearance.
"There are many reasons behind my decision but I want to say I took it on my own and no one influenced it," added the player who was voted Bulgaria's Footballer of the Year for a record sixth time in January.
"I didn't discuss it with (United manager) Alex Ferguson. I did it with my father and my agent."
"I felt tired at times and I also know there are skilful young lads in the national team who look forward to their chance," Berbatov added.
"You have to know when it's the right time to stop. Things have changed a lot since I was a 20-year-old. I have a family, a daughter now..."
The laid-back striker joined United from Tottenham Hotspur in 2008 for a club record fee of 30.75 million pounds (US$45.43 million) but soon came under fire after failing to reproduce his scoring form. But he said yesterday he was happy at United and wanted to remain at Old Trafford.
"I'm a Manchester United player, I want to stay there and I'll fight for my place. I wake up happy every morning because I know I'm a United player. I don't show my emotions but that doesn't mean I'm not happy."
Asked about speculation he could leave United, Berbatov said: "I don't know anything about an offer from Milan or from any other club. Germany? There's only one team I could play for there and it's Bayer Leverkusen (his former club)."
"It was a difficult decision but sometimes we have to take difficult decisions," the 29-year old Manchester United striker told a news conference in Sofia yesterday. "I needed a long time but there's no way back. It's over," said Berbatov, who became Bulgaria's all-time leading scorer last November when he netted his 48th goal in a friendly against Malta on his 74th international appearance.
"There are many reasons behind my decision but I want to say I took it on my own and no one influenced it," added the player who was voted Bulgaria's Footballer of the Year for a record sixth time in January.
"I didn't discuss it with (United manager) Alex Ferguson. I did it with my father and my agent."
"I felt tired at times and I also know there are skilful young lads in the national team who look forward to their chance," Berbatov added.
"You have to know when it's the right time to stop. Things have changed a lot since I was a 20-year-old. I have a family, a daughter now..."
The laid-back striker joined United from Tottenham Hotspur in 2008 for a club record fee of 30.75 million pounds (US$45.43 million) but soon came under fire after failing to reproduce his scoring form. But he said yesterday he was happy at United and wanted to remain at Old Trafford.
"I'm a Manchester United player, I want to stay there and I'll fight for my place. I wake up happy every morning because I know I'm a United player. I don't show my emotions but that doesn't mean I'm not happy."
Asked about speculation he could leave United, Berbatov said: "I don't know anything about an offer from Milan or from any other club. Germany? There's only one team I could play for there and it's Bayer Leverkusen (his former club)."
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