Who still remembers Berbatov?

Berbatov used to play for Manchester United.

The former Bulgarian striker, who once took the Premier League by storm with his dashing looks and smooth, artistic moves, is now 44. But Berbatov's story doesn't end when he leaves the pitch - it continues with another ambition: to change the face of football in his homeland.

A gentleman on the pitch

In the memories of English fans, Berbatov is a symbol of calm and efficiency. He won the Premier League Golden Boot award with Manchester United, after impressive years with Tottenham.

Before that, Berbatov grew up at Bayer Leverkusen, where he briefly played with Landon Donovan. After the Premier League, the Bulgarian striker wandered around Monaco and ended his career at PAOK. Wherever he went, he left behind the image of a "gentleman" on the pitch: not noisy, not explosively fast, but possessing feet that know how to turn simple things into art.

Not only that, Berbatov's European mark was also highlighted when he scored against both Real Madrid and Barcelona in the Champions League. With the Bulgarian team, he is on par with the legend Hristo Bonev, holding the record of 48 goals.

The difference is that Berbatov only needed 78 games to reach that number, nearly 20 less than Bonev. He participated in Euro 2004, once against Spain, but could not score. However, for the Bulgarian people, Berbatov will always be the greatest attacking symbol of a generation.

After retiring, Berbatov entered football politics .

If Berbatov is remembered for his calm demeanor on the pitch, then off the pitch he shows his determination. After retiring, the former Manchester United striker did not choose the coaching path like many of his colleagues, but embarked on a more difficult journey: rebuilding Bulgarian football from the roots.

Berbatov ran twice for the position of President of the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU). In 2021, he lost to incumbent President Borislav Mihaylov by a narrow margin - 230 votes to 241. Two years later, in 2023, he tried again but lost to Georgi Ivanov with 181 votes, 54 votes less than his opponent.

Looking at the two failures, it can be said that Berbatov has not succeeded in football politics. But if we read carefully what he proposed, we understand that he chose the difficult path: to fundamentally change the conservative system.

Berbatov’s campaign platform focuses on training players, improving coaches and improving infrastructure. These are not easy promises, but a frank confrontation with the reality of Bulgarian football – a football that once had a proud history but is now struggling in the European lowlands.

Berbatov is one of the few players not involved in scandal.

Desire for change

In parallel, Berbatov is still working hard with the "Dimitar Berbatov Foundation", where he supports Bulgarian children and young people to develop their talents. This foundation not only promotes football, but also expands to many creative and artistic fields, thereby affirming the philosophy: to have strong football, we need a comprehensive and confident young generation. He also cooperates with orphanages, helping disadvantaged children have the opportunity to rise up through sports and education .

Compared to his brilliant football career, Berbatov's off-field journey is harsher and less glamorous. But it reflects the spirit of a man who does not want to settle.

Berbatov, who delighted Old Trafford fans with a hat-trick against Liverpool, now wants to breathe new life into his homeland. Despite his election defeat, he still believes that Bulgarian football can change, if only those who dare to think and dare to act.

In a modern football world where many former players choose to become commentators or coaches, Berbatov shows a different path: football politics, community development, supporting the younger generation. Perhaps, the journey will be long and full of thorns, but it is worth making Bulgarian fans proud that: Dimitar Berbatov - the striker who once made the entire Premier League bow - is still fighting, no longer with goals, but with the desire to change.

Source: https://znews.vn/con-ai-nho-berbatov-post1582370.html