Berba could quit Bulgaria

Striker unhappy at being blamed for slump

Last updated: 20th November 2008

Dimitar Berbatov Bulgaria

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Dimitar Berbatov could be ready to turn his back on Bulgaria and retire from international football after being blamed for the team's slump in form.

Bulgaria are currently well adrift of Group 8 leaders Italy in the race to qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals after drawing their opening three group matches.

Bulgaria have only scored twice in those games and some observers have singled out the Manchester United star as one of the main culprits behind the slump.

Things took a turn for the worse on Wednesday when Bulgaria suffered their worst defeat in seven years after going down to a humiliating 6-1 friendly defeat to Serbia.

Ready to quit

With Berbatov consistently in the firing line, his agent Emile Danchev has admitted his client is unhappy at being the focus of fans' anger

"Dimitar said to me that, because people blame him for Bulgaria's bad performances, he is ready to quit the national team," Danchev is quoted in the Sun.

Berbatov limped out of the thrashing by Serbia after suffering a muscle injury in the first half and it remains to be seen whether he will be fit for the Red Devils' clash against Aston Villa this weekend.

Bulgaria manager Plamen Markov does not believe it is a major problem, stating: "I talked to him after the match as well and he said it was likely nothing serious."