Dimitar Berbatov has admitted that he is desperate to play again at a major tournament.
Bulgarian desperate to play at major tournament
Dimitar Berbatov has admitted that he is proud of his achievements at international level, but he is desperate to play again at a major tournament.
The Manchester United striker is Bulgaria's all-time leading goalscorer after overtaking Hristo Bonev and Hristo Stoichkov with 48 goals and although the striker is happy to reach such a record, he wants to follow in the footsteps of the 'golden generation' of the 1990s at the 2012 European Championship.
The 29-year-old will begin preparations for qualifying for the tournament in a friendly against Poland on Wednesday, but the skipper admitted that the team do not have the quality to call upon that some other major nations do.
"Because we are a small country - we are not like England, Italy or Brazil - we don't have as many good players," he said.
"And when some players get injured, it's difficult to replace them, but I think we do have some talented young players."
Berbatov admitted that the achievements of the team of the 1990s, who qualified for three major tournaments and finished fourth at the 1994 World Cup, would be difficult to replicate and that their success has cast a shadow over the team ever since.
"People always try to compare sides, in the past, now, and in the future," he added.
"It brings pressure on the players as well. Back then it was different, we did have great players. They did something unthinkable and we still live in that memory."
Berbatov's only major tournament experience was a disappointing one, at Euro 2004 in Portugal, where his side went home without a point.
But as he prepares to do battle against the nation where he plays - England, in qualifying for Euro 2012 - the striker is hopeful they can make it through.
"I am looking forward to qualifying for the European Championship. If we can do that, I'll be happy.
"We will keep on fighting and keep on working until we achieve something."
