Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Berbatov is a retired Bulgarian forward renowned for his elegance, intelligence, and effortless style of play. Famous for his velvet first touch, creativity, and calm finishing, Berbatov is widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted strikers of his generation.
📌 Club Career
| Years | Club | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998–2001 | CSKA Sofia | 50 | 26 |
| 2001–2006 | Bayer Leverkusen | 154 | 69 |
| 2006–2008 | Tottenham Hotspur | 102 | 46 |
| 2008–2012 | Manchester United | 149 | 56 |
| 2012–2014 | Fulham | 54 | 19 |
| 2014 | Monaco | 38 | 13 |
| 2015–2016 | PAOK | 25 | 4 |
| 2017–2018 | Kerala Blasters | 9 | 1 |
| Total | 581 | 234 | |
🌍 International Career
| Years | Team | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999–2010 | Bulgaria | 78 | 48 |
Berbatov is Bulgaria’s joint all-time top scorer with 48 goals.
🏆 Honours
CSKA Sofia
- Bulgarian Cup: 1998–99
Bayer 04 Leverkusen
- Bundesliga runners up:2001-02
- 2001–02 DFB-Pokal:runners up
- UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2001–02
Tottenham Hotspur
- Football League Cup: 2007–08
Manchester United
- Premier League: 2008–09, 2010–11
- Football League Cup: 2009–10
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2008
- FA Community Shield: 2010, 2011
- UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2008–09, 2010–11
Monaco
- Coupe de France runner-up: 2013–14
⭐ Individual Awards
- Bulgarian Footballer of the Year: 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
- Premier League Golden Boot: 2010–11
- PFA Team of the Year: 2006–07 (Premier League)
- Manchester United Players' Player of the Year: 2010–11
- Fulham Player of the Season: 2012–13
🎨 Style of Play
Berbatov was celebrated for his extraordinary first touch, close control, and composure under pressure. A technically elegant striker, he preferred intelligent movement and deft passes over raw speed, often making the game look effortless with his precise finishing and creative flair.
👔 Managerial Career
Dimitar Berbatov has not pursued a formal managerial career but has worked as a football ambassador and analyst after retiring from professional football.