Dimitar Berbatov has decided to hang up his boots after being involved in more than 20 years at the top level of professional football. Reflecting his sheer class here too, the former Bulgarian international took to Instagram to announce his retirement with an epic post. He wrote, 'I did it my way. Although when I think about it, it's never the end. Because I will continue with the game one way or another. The time has come to say that after 20 years of playing football I am stopping with my professional ACTIVE football career! I will miss it! I will f**king miss it! The games, the training, the goals, preparation, the pressure, my teammates.. the roar of the fans when I scored another Banger.'
'Thank you all the people who helped me develop, and become the player I always wanted to be! I hope you all have enjoyed my game and everything I gave you to entertain on the pitch! Damn it, I will miss all of this, people, because I love football so much. but I am sure you will miss me as well. Thank you!' he added. Famous mostly for his United days, he announced his retirement on the ninth anniversary of his thumping hat-trick against arch-rivals Liverpool. The former Bulgarian captain was always away from controversies and played the game with a wide smile on his face, becoming a fan favourite wherever he went. Born on 30 January 1981, he went on to represent Bayern Leverkusen, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Fulham, Monaco, and POAK; before heading to India with Kerela Blasters FC.
Berbatov was one of the most technically gifted players in the history of the Premier League. He had a ridiculous first touch and though he wasn't quick, scored a bundle of goals during his career. On this day of his retirement, we take a look back at some of the most iconic moments in his career:
His out-of-the-world assist vs West Ham: Berbatov was so good that he had a skill named after him: 'the Berba spin'. He produced one of the Premier League's greatest assists while playing for United against West Ham. The ball looked like it was going out but the Bulgarian kept it in, fooling the defender in the process, before giving the ball to Cristiano Ronaldo for an easy tap-in. It was so beautiful that the fans and commentators were all left thrilled alike.
Effortless grace: One of the best qualities that the Bulgarian embraced was his effortless grace. Before making the move to Tottenham Hotspur, Berbatov was showcasing his talent at Bayern Leverkusen. One of his most famous goals came against Roma in the Champions League, when he flicked the ball over a defender in the box before lobbing the keeper too.
High five against Blackburn Rovers: He was not the best physically, and was quite fragile for a central striker. But he was able to make a deadly duo with Wayne Rooney at United. He came into the Premier League clash against Blackburn Rovers without a goal in ten games. Then he scores five-part a sorry-Blackburn side.
His overhead kick against Sunderland: Berbatov had a knack of scoring great goals in his career. He has produced some mind-blowing strikes over the years. But the one against Sunderland stood tall among the rest. It was a brilliant acrobatic attempt off a cross which looked to be going wide from its intended target.
His hat-trick against Liverpool: Berbatov single-handedly destroyed United's old rival 3-2 at Old Trafford in 2010. To make the moment more special, one of those strikes was an overhead kick. This was perhaps the most iconic moment of his whole career. United fans still have faint memories of that hat-trick. Incidentally, he announced his retirement on the ninth anniversary of that day.
Happy retirement, Dimitar Berbatov. You will be missed!
