13.05.2010
Man Utd's Berbatov retires from international game
Manchester United's Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov announced his retirement from international football on Thursday, but insisted he remained committed to his club amid rumours of a move.
"I have decided to step down from the national team, starting today," the 29-year-old told a press conference in Sofia.
He said he wanted "to give younger players the opportunity to step out from my shadow".
Berbatov, who has captained the national team for the past three years and is their record goalscorer with 48 goals, said he was "discouraged" after Bulgaria failed to qualify for the upcoming World Cup in South Africa.
"At times I feel tired, even exhausted by the national team," Berbatov told journalists, adding that he had suffered from recent injuries.
He insisted, however, that he remained committed to United, following rumours in the British press that he might trade in the red shirt for a move to Bayern Munich or AC Milan.
"I am going nowhere," Berbatov said, adding that he had had no meetings with AC Milan to discuss a transfer.
"I have arrived where I wanted to be, I have reached the summit."
United "is the biggest team and I will fight to stay there until the end of my contract," he added.
Berbatov joined United in September 2008 on a four-year contract for a club-record transfer fee of 35 million euros (44 million dollars).
He has since scored 26 goals in 65 appearances.
Despite having ruled out retirement from club football for the time being, Berbatov hinted that he would be hanging up his boots before too long.
"The time will come (when I must end my career) and it isn't as far away as everybody thinks," he said.
Voted Bulgaria's best footballer six times, Berbatov was the second highest scorer for United this season, with a total of 12 league goals.
Source: © 2010 AFP - Glyn Kirk
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