Dimitar Berbatov, the Bulgarian star of Manchester United, has ruled out playing football at 35, saying in this way he would "make a fool" of himself.
"Me? At 35? No way!," Berbatov told Inside United, the magazine that the club publishes, when asked whether he could replicate the longevity of Gary Neville and Paul Scholes at 35 and Ryan Giggs at 36, who are still playing at Old Trafford.
Berbatov will turn thirty in just a few months. His contract with Manchester United expires in 2013, when he will be thirty-three.
"Seriously, though, everyone is different and you have to know your body is giving you the signals to stop. Having been here for two seasons, I know why Giggs, Scholes, Neville have been here for so long and why they are still playing. Here they have the facilities and the coaching staff who know how to prepare you.
"Obviously you need to focus on the football and when you go home, you have to be professional and know how to live your life. I see all these things in these three guys, especially.
"They are still playing at the highest level, so I think to myself, 'Can I do that?' If not, then at least try to see how long I can play for. But when your body tells you, that's when you have to stop and not make a fool of yourself."
Right after he announced his retirement as captain of the national football team earlier this year Berbatov unveiled plans for top management post once he returns to his home country.
"My career will be always linked to the football world. I am not going to be a doctor.... I can sit at a bureau, just like this one, but do many different things," the 29-year-old said in an interview for local 24 Hours Daily.
Berbatov did not give a clear answer when asked about the timing of his plans:
Dimitar Berbatov announced his retirement from international football at the beginning of May with immediate effect. He explained at the time that he had become "discouraged" by his performances for his country, dealing a heavy blow to the team.
The 29-year-old was captain of his country and scored a national record 48 goals in just 74 matches.
Novinite
