Dimitar Berbatov - an insight into the man, and his philosophy on life and football

[lily_lane]

This interview was given to Max Magazine in Sofia when he returned in April 08 to collect the Bulgarian POTY Award.

All translations were done by Gabriella. :bowdown: :clap:

He's very forthcoming in Bulgarian interviews, and totally different to his public persona here, which appears withdrawn and morose, though he is infact quite shy, and he has an ironic sense of humour, when relaxed.
It's quite revealing about his private thoughts and philosophy, with some funny anecdotes, and includes stories and experiences relating to Spurs.

I appreciate some Spurs supporters may not care to read such an interview currently, but inspite of the booing at the weekend at Boro, I'm posting for those that do, our motivation being to show a different side to 'Mitko' than the dour man he's always depicted as here.
Though he's certainly a complex and very interesting character.

Credit to Berba's BG Forum for all photos.

The photographer was Glaswegian, and made him look like a crack dealer from the Gorbals, instead of the beautiful man that he is.
More scans here: http://berbatov.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=16

You can watch a film of the photoshoot in Sofia here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=u-BTTt-FfBw


Part 1

Berbatov explains what happened to him before leaving England:

"I woke up at 6 a.m. because I had to go to the new terminal and I didn’t know where it was. At 8:30 I boarded on the plane and I should have fallen asleep immediately (I have a phobia). I woke up at 11:30 and saw that we are still at Heathrow. The stewardess told me that there were 30 more planes and we were the last to take off." (…)
When Berbatov found out that the photographer is from Scotland he started to imitate the Irish accent of his teammate – Robbie Keane. “In the beginning he was talking to me and I didn’t understand him and I always said “slow down, Robbie, slow down”. Then he demonstrated his artistic talent and spoke like his black teammates adding “yo man” after each phrase. (…)

Do you remember your first time entering the Spurs changing-room? What did you say to the others? Something like “ I am Berbatov, who the hell are you?"
No, it wasn’t like that. I greeted them modestly and sat in the corner without saying a single word. I opened my mouth only if they asked me something. However, my English wasn’t too good.

Rather modest behavior for a player bought for 16 million Euros.
I’ve always underestimated my skills. I don’t think I'm worth 16 million. Before signing my contract I even asked Comolli “are you mad to pay so much money?!”

Now your price is three times as much.
This is absurd. These figures are unrealistic. No way that I cost 50 million Euros for example.

Before meeting you I asked 10 people what they associate you with. Look what they said “talented”, “boring”, “models”, “technical”, “handsome”. “Spurs”, “skirt-chaser”, “character”, “vain”, “money”, “famous”. This is the common idea about you. Do you have something to add?
Each of these characterizes me...probably. But none of them is enough to describe me. I’ve had moments when one thing or another has been more important. But..what! Why the hell..boring?! Have I been boring?

Maybe when you talk always one and the same in front of the journos.
Oh yes, it is possible. But people read these things about me and they think they know me. But in fact only my parents and my close friends really know me. The others have a very wrong notion of who Dimitar Berbatov is.

If we start to explain each one of the words mentioned, let’s take “talented”. Do you remember what Klaus Augentaler said about you in 2004 (he was the Coach of Bayer Leverkusen)?

It was something about the laziness, wasn’t it?

I’ll quote it: “Berbatov is more or less a circus actor. He has a Brazilian mentality and someone should always kick his ass in order to bring him out of his typical stolidity”.

I’ve never agreed with Augentaler and I have told it to him. I can’t run pointlessly. That’s why sometimes I look lazy and the defenders don’t have anything to do with me. But I am always alert, I am careful and wait for my chance and then I try not to miss it. This is my style.

“The others run, Berbatov influences the game” (a headline from the Sun). Is the most correct description of your style?
Well, this is insulting for the others. But it is somewhat correct. Not that I don’t run when I have to.


Part 2

At the beginning, after you moved to London, people there were wondering if you are a lazy bastard who loves night life or a predator who makes football look like gracious art.
It’s good that they don’t hesitate any more. As far as I am concerned I have never hesitated about what I want to be. I’ve always played football for my pleasure and for the audience’s pleasure. Besides, it isn’t true that I love night life. I go out from time to time but it’s normal.

Do you remember when you realized that you were popular?
I was also popular in Germany but the feeling in England is completely different. I won’t lie – it is nice while you are walking along the street people stop you, you shake hands with them .... At the moment most of the people tell me “don’t leave us” , “we are happy that you are with us” – because most of them are Spurs fans. But it seems that they are glad to see me. And I am also glad to see them.

One English plumber promised to name his child after you even if it is a girl. Do you know if he did it?
Oh, I don’t think so. He had won plenty of money from some game because of my decent performance that year. But definitely....the fans in England are crazy. I won’t forget the following thing: after my first game with Spurs (we played against Sheffield United and I scored a goal) I got into my car. Then I had a driver because I still didn’t how to get to my house and because of the traffic jam we stopped all the time and the Spurs fans who were going out of the stadium were around us. Then I saw one guy, half-naked, one enormous tattoo covered his whole back. But he was crew cut and very muscular – he looked very severe! He approached and knocked on my window. I said to myself “Damn! This is the end! What a bloody debut” and I opened the window. But he shook hands with me and roared “well daaan, boy”. I calmed down a bit and I even told him “tenku tenku” – my English was poor then. Then I felt that I will like being a part of Spurs. And so it happened – I liked it – the atmosphere and everything, and everything fell into place.

How did your life change after you started scoring goals in London?
Damn! I have thought about this so many times! I scored many goals in Bayer too, even more than in Spurs. But see what happened, I came to England and now the whole world knows who I am. Thus it is important not only what and how you do something but also WHERE you do it.

Are you a star compared to Ronaldo, Drogba, Rooney? After all, the EPL is full of stars?
People recognize me, I can’t complain. But “star” is too much. Ronaldo for example is a unique player.

Who is the best Spurs player?
Oh, I can’t say. We all are dudes.

Yes, but the only dude who is a Forward and is MOTM without even scoring one of the 4 goals for his team is called Dimitar Berbatov.
Oh, have I had such a game? Maybe I have assisted or something..that’s why. Look, I get some satisfaction in this too – when I help the team to win from another position, not only when I score goals. When I do it, then it’s okay.

Spurs fans sing your name with the tune of “La donna e mobile” from Verdi’s “Rigoletto” . Do you think this is because of your image of a skirt-chaser?
{lily_lane: er, no, we're not that clever, or into highbrow culture!}

I didn’t even realize they sing this. Sometimes I ask my teammates to translate the songs because the fans have songs about the manager, players.. Once I had a meeting with them and they asked me what to sing with my name, coz it is difficult for them to pronounce it, you know. I told them not to put too much effort, they won’t offend me if they don’t sing my name. Sometimes I am even embarrassed when they sing for me ..because of my teammates and I say to myself “ooh, come on, stop stop!”. I feel uncomfortable because of my teammates.

According to the “Daily Telegraph” if you were an Englishman you would be the second most famous person in the country and would have had 80 games for the English NT. Have you been angry that you were born in Bulgaria?
Just the opposite. I am proud of this. Well I have talked with friends, when we are at the dinner table, that if I were an Italian for example, I would be much more popular. But nothing more. It had difficulties, I still have some, but being a Bulgarian has also good sides. I feel my best when I am at home, although I earn my living abroad.

Do you think you are 14 times more expensive than gold, as one survey stated. Maybe “special” like Mourinho?
Bullshit. I am a normal person, just my profession made me a bit famous. How can you compare me with Mourinho? He won the CL, has Cups, titles…

Who is your best friend “on the Island”?
I don’t have one. My best friends are in Bulgaria. I am a friend with everybody in Spurs, we are on good terms, it’s perfect, sometimes we go out together. But they are local guys and I am always the foreigner…

If the English tabloids haven’t torn you apart, then you must be a good boy…?
Everybody has their dark sides, some vices. I am no exception. But all in all I am a good boy. And I don’t understand how you can judge a famous person on condition that you are not even better than them. The normal people also make the same mistakes but nobody judges them.

This is the fate of stars everywhere. Who is the English star you would like to have an autograph from?
There is no such person. I am a bit strange. Even if I see somebody who is very very famous I won’t stop them because I feel uncomfortable. Well, if Robert de Niro stands next to me I will stretch out a hand and tell him “big fan” but nothing more. Once I saw Morgan Freeman at Sofia Airport and I said to my Father, “Wow look, this is Morgan Freeman!” I took a piece of paper, a pen and started waiting for him in the VIP hall. I asked him to sign it, and he looked at me and said “Sorry, but I don’t give autographs”. God, how akward I felt!


{lily_lane: poor ol' Berbs! Parts 3 & 4 to follow.}

 

[lily_lane]

Part 3

What do you think about Beckham’s family?
I can’t discuss them, I am not at their level of fame. They are from another planet in comparison to me. It’s very strange how in Bulgaria we tend to criticize world stars...in some TV shows they sit and start discussing their behavior and appearance. Come on, let’s first look at ourselves and then talk about others!

What do your parents think about your success?
I have never asked them. We rarely speak about such things and I feel uncomfortable when I speak about my family. We love each other although we meet once in a blue moon. I hope I made them feel proud of me.

Which is the best lesson they taught you?
They both were very liberal. They let me do anything I wanted, but then I was responsible for the consequences. I have done many stupid things because of my stubbornness, only because I didn’t want to listen to their advice. And then, at the end of the day, it always turned out that they were right. My father always told me not to be swell-headed. He repeated that so often that now it still helps me. When I realize that I give myself airs, the red light in my head flashes.

Was there a moment in your career when you felt that you became presumptuous?
Many times. I was ashamed because of some of the things I had done. I have paraded with the fact that I am Dimitar Berbatov.

What brought you back down to the Earth?
I always heard my Dad’s voice in my head. Besides, I am religious and I take the Bible everywhere with me. There are many good pieces of advice for those like me.

Why don’t you swear on the pitch and outside it. After all Bulgaria is famous for the yoghourt and “mamata”?
(Stoichkov’s curses – in Bulgaria most of the swearing includes the word “mother” which is “maika”/”mama” and Stoichkov’s curses are popular like “mamata”)

This is a matter of good upbringing. I don’t swear in my daily life, my every second word is not “da mu eba maikata” (**** your mother). I try to do everything with style – not only in football. If I managed to give any positive examples for the young people – then that is great. To be honest, sometimes I lose my temper when I am on the pitch. I even shout at my teammates too much, and then they are a bit angry. But this is who I am. I often tell them, “Dudes, no problem, you too.....shout at me if there is something! I won’t be angry. When the game is over, it is over”. But some of them take it to heart and are really angry with me. They don’t realize that this is the way I release the stress.

When was the last time you lost your temper?
After Holland – Bulgaria, when it was clear that Bulgaria misses another big championship. I shouted at some of the guys in the locker room but then I apologized and everything was back to normal.

Are you generous?
I try to help but I can’t help everybody. There are so many people who need something. People ask me for help all the time and I try to do my best and give them financial or moral support. I hope people understand me because I do it with eagerness and I have never paraded with this. It will be secret and nobody will understand what I am doing. It would be perfect if I could help everybody but I just can’t.

You said that when you were young you used to wear track suits with elegant shoes because you had dreamt of looking elegant? Why that combination?
Well, you tell me!! But what is in the past, is in the past. I have always been a fan of fashion, I have followed the trends and tried to look smart. I think that every man should do it. And back in those times, when I didn’t have much money, I thought that elegant shoes and a track suit looked good together. But in fact I must have been rather funny. It’s good that people change all the time, and their style also changes, and finally you find the right one.

What did you buy with the first “big money” you earned?
“Nokia Chameleon”. My teammates in CSKA, Todor Kuychukov, Tomash and Mirchev had one, and I...couldn’t wait, and I got my salary and “hop!” also bought the same one.

What do you think is the “perfect life”?
At the moment my life may seem perfect to many people and they may want to be in my place. I don’t complain, but there is a big “minus” – I live in a foreign country and don’t see either my family or my friends. It’s true that I play in such a big club – in Tottenham, people in England know me and recognize me - but one day I want to come back to Bulgaria. This is inevitable. And then, when I will be surrounded by my most beloved people, my life will be perfect.

What was the biggest mistake in your career? Maybe that photo shoot with Silvia Stoicheva (the half-naked photos) and the scandal it provoked?
I learnt a lot from it. Without doubt, there is no point in looking back in time because I am going straight ahead, right? But sometimes I think about my past, and yes, there are unpleasant moments. I must have made some mistakes, but I drew a lesson from them all. Thus I don’t regret anything.

You weren't fascinated by German women, and you provoked their reaction. What is the situation with English women?
It was a long time ago, I was 19 then. It is stupid what a big problem it was, I can’t believe it. Actually, I didn’t want to offend anybody, I just stood up for my compatriots, anybody in my place would do the same thing. Ofcourse, I like most the Bulgarian girls, but come on, there are VERY beautiful girls everywhere!

Let’s go back to Beckham. Do you think he would be so famous if Victoria weren’t in the picture?
If you ask Sir Alex he would say just the opposite. I read one interview in which he said that Beckham would become really great if he didn’t listen to Victoria that much. Everybody has their right to express an opinion. What more can I say?

What about your girl? Who is she?
At the moment my career is in first place, but I know who loves me and who will be the mother of my children. But the time hasn’t come yet. Of course I want to have children but later....later.

After all do you have an official girlfriend?
The next question.


{lily_lane: she's called Elena, according to various other Bulgarian magazines, is 30, and her family have a big construction business. She apparently graduated in Archeaology and has a career, not being with him constantly as a WAG. He chooses to be in London alone most of the time, to "concentrate on Football", but who can live like that for a prolongued period and not go doolally? Hence his melancholic demeanour alot of the time IMO. In her shoes I would insist on being with him to support him in his career, naturally. BTW she's very tall, has long dark hair and brown eyes, infact, save for the different eye colour, she could be his sister. Why do famous people/good looking people always find partners that look just like them?....Oh, and she smokes.}

As a young teenager, playing for CSKA.

Dancing at his Brother Asen's Wedding in the Summer of 2007 with Mother Margarita.

Elena & Mitko leaving their Hotel in Sunny Beach on the Black Sea Coast in June.

 

[guy]

“tenku tenku” for that, good insight

 

[lily_lane]

Part 4

How can you be sure that a woman is with you because of your personality, not because of your status in society?
The mutual trust needs time. You should have gone through many things with this person. There are many people who have got married before they became famous. And then everything is clear. But it is also possible that the opposite may happen – the fame comes and the family falls apart. But I know who took care of me when I needed it, who was with me when I was ill, who slept next to me when I was in a hospital, and so on. I know who has made sacrifices for me. So, I may pretend that I don’t care but I see, I hear, and I appreciate everything. And the right person knows it.

The Spurs fans sing for you “Winning is so easy with a Berbatov in your team! A goal machine, a goal machine! If we substitute goal with sex machine would that be right? Are you as good in bed as on the pitch?
How could I know, maybe every man thinks he is very good. Probably you also think you are good…

Me? I am more like average.
Well, I am also average. We’d better ask the women about these things.

What is the feeling to be followed by many women everywhere?
Damn! Nobody chases me. It is nice to be liked but I have my private territory and not everybody can enter it.

What do you think about the confessions of some women who state they have slept with you?
I get irritated for a couple of minutes and then I forget about it because I am above these things. It won’t distract me from doing my job, it also can’t make me very angry because these people aren’t my friends, they aren’t close to my heart.

Do you feel ashamed when you read confessions like these of Daniela Arnaut?
{lily_lane: at the time of the interview, Bulgaria was exercised with unearthing the story of this ex-Playboy model, also featured in the Sun here, however after her appearance on TV she came across as a lying druggie who sold her story for money, and she claimed to be contented with her life as part of the "Sofia Underground scene"}

There isn’t anything I should be ashamed of. In fact, “Different people, Different ideals” (this is the title of a famous Bulgarian book). Well, such stories sell newspapers, everybody reads them. But people don’t like women who make such “confessions”. This is my opinion.

In the world much more frightening things happen than the memories of some girl who says she slept with Berbatov.
Well in Bulgaria itself more frightening things happen. I am shocked when I read in the Internet what happens with children. Not that I am very old, but they drink alcohol, fight at schools. Nobody pays attention because it is much more important who has slept with Berbatov. You will never read that I have said “This girls is …or that girl is…”. I am not like that. What I have to say, I will look the person in their eyes and tell them.

What is your attitude towards gays in football?
Everybody has the right to choose. What if somebody is gay if he plays well?

Who do you admire in your profession?
Marco van Basten. This man had everything. Today when I watch a video of him I still get goosebumps. It’s a pity he had to stop playing at such an early age because of health problems. On my video he runs around San Siro and cries. It breaks my heart to look at him. However, there are many players who deserve admiration and respect for what they have done on the pitch. But sometimes they don’t get it. For example: Ronaldinho – a phenomenal player who has done a lot for Barca and football as a whole, but at the moment everybody criticizes him. Or Raul in Real Madrid. And they just don’t need to be estimated by us because we won’t probably ever reach their level.

Do you feel bad because Bulgaria won’t play at the Euro Champs this year?
I was so ashamed that I couldn’t go out and look people in the eyes. I always feel like this when I have had a poor game because I know what is people’s opinion about us. But they should also know that we are also angry because we won’t play. We do care. Because what is better than playing at the European or World Championship??!

Do you hope that someday you will win the Golden Ball? Over the past 20 years only 3 players from Eastern Europe have done it.
I will lie if I say no. I will dream about this until I stop playing. I am one man and I can’t do everything. I will do something. And when I do it, I will excel/surpass it. And when I surpass it, with God’s will, I’ll achieve something big.

Sincere thanks to Gabriella, you did a wonderful job, and it was a fantastic interview which was very enlightening. :clap: :bowdown:

 

[gibbs131]

Some awesome Snake Hair moments.

WE
MUST
KEEP
BERBATOV

 

[guy]

Some very funny completely non-politically correct questions! aah eastern europe

 

[DC_Boy]

cheers for that lily - fascinating stuff

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

Thank you Lilly and Gabriella, a very interesting read! :clap:

 

[MkYid]

Thanks for that, it was a good read

 

[Phantom]

Great read so far will get through some more when i should be working . All its missing is "I dont want to go to manchester".

 

[jamesc0le]

haha he is a dude

Who is the best Spurs player?
Oh, I can’t say. We all are dudes.

when he leaves i hope he comes back like sheringham or klinsmann

what a legend

 

[orkneyspur]

Interesting guy.
rep for that lilly. :grin:

 

[spurdownunder]

I can’t run pointlessly. That’s why sometimes I look lazy and the defenders don’t have anything to do with me. But I am always alert, I am careful and wait for my chance and then I try not to miss it. This is my style.

“The others run, Berbatov influences the game” (a headline from the Sun). Is the most correct description of your style?
Well, this is insulting for the others. But it is somewhat correct. Not that I don’t run when I have to.

That's enough for me - Berba has to stay.
Levy should introduce a no-booing policy and boot out any louts participating.

 

[jamesc0le]

mitko for prime minister

 

[don1]

great read hope a few on here read it the man is just class on and off the pitch

 

[norflondon]

Is that seriously his mother??? EekEekEek

W.O.W.:hump:

 

[nicdic]

Thanks for that, was a good read. I'll definitely be very sad if he goes.

 

[bomberH]

Excellent stuff. Will hate him even more now if he goes

I'm sure the 'goal machine' song started on here!

 

[joey.leone]

Berba dude, please dont go.

 

[Midostouch]

That was awesome - the man is pure class. Let's all make it clear to him how we feel on Saturday and BEG HIM TO STAY - I'm not proud!