Dimitar Berbatov: The Man The Media Love to Hate

By: Taylor Rockwell | May 26th, 2009

I’m pretty much writing this article in response to an earlier posting on one of Wayne’s articles. In discussing Dimitar Berbatov, I have, at times in the past, tended to make semi-hostile statements towards the man. For this reason, some on this site are quick to think that I still don’t rate the £30.75 million man, which isn’t the case. In fact, I’ve come to appreciate having Berba in the squad. However, I think that Dimitar Berbatov IS representative of the hostile nature of the modern media.

A quick disclaimer: I will openly admit that I have been quite hostile towards Berbatov in the past. In fact, up until a few days ago, I was still wishing for his transfer. But the more I read about him, the more I realize that he’s an essential part of the Manchester squad.

Now then, if you read today’s interview with Berba from The Guardian, you get a better understanding of just how conflicted Berba is about his time in Manchester. But more than that, you get an understanding of why he is the source of near constant criticism. How often do you read articles critical of his statistical contributions to the team? Not nearly as often as you do about how he doesn’t seem to care, looks lazy, and is, to some, devoid of human emotions. And that’s the crux of the issue.

Berba had a decent campaign for United. In the 31 Premiership games in which he featured, he had nine goals and nine assists. In five Champions League starts, he netted four times. Overall, he put in 14 goals for United this season, and led the team in assists. Further, he had a higher average meters covered/minute rating than Tevez in their Champions League ties. Obviously, it wasn’t the 20+ goal season that some anticipated, but it wasn’t abysmal. More to the point, his comments in the interview make it clear that he knows he didn’t shock and awe in all of his performances, and knows he must do better.

However, many are still quick to mock and criticize the big Bulgarian. What’s the possible answer for this? Once again, I look to American sports for the answer. Kobe Bryant and Alex Rodriguez are two of the biggest sports stars in this country. They are arguably two of the best to ever play the game. And yet, they are widely despised. This isn’t because they underachieve or aren’t clutch (although those arguments do come up from time to time). It’s because they aren’t likeable. Kobe was accused of rape. He isn’t exactly known for being a great teammate. He’s considered cold and calculating. Essentially, he isn’t Lebron James. Similarly, Alex Rodriguez dates Madonna, used steroids, and posed for one of the most asinine magazine layouts in history.

And this is why the media hates them. They’re big name players who just don’t fit in. The same goes for Berbatov. He makes this point himself. “It’s not easy to come from Bulgaria, a small country. If I was Italian or Brazilian it would have been easier.” Exactly. He’s a strange looking man from Eastern Europe. He has an odd sounding voice. He doesn’t jump and scream and go all Mourinho when he scores. He doesn’t always look like he’s killing himself to win, even if he is consistently one of the most statistically important United players.

Everyone wants a new Cantona or a new Keane, forgetting that both of those iconic figures were often equally polarizing. Keane was transferred for essentially slamming every aspect of the current United team, including Sir Alex Ferguson. He was a hot head with a violent and, occasionally, dangerous temper. Cantona kicked a fan in the face. What more can I say? Yet today these men are remembered as heroes because they openly cared about the badge. Keane and Cantona are two of my top five all time favorite players, and so I look the other way when both committed acts that would make me go insane were they perpetrated by Drogba or Gerrard.

Berba doesn’t openly show that same competitive fire, and so people aren’t so willing to look the other way. He isn’t a lovable figure, so he doesn’t ever get the kiddie gloves. Instead, his every action is monitored, judged, and printed as failure, which is why that Guardian interview was so interesting. It really paints the picture of a man struggling with his own personality. He wants people to love him and appreciate his efforts, but secretly knows that, no matter how well he plays, there will always be those who are quick to criticize. “I know that one million are going to like me and one million are not going to like me. It’s always like that.” For Kobe, it’s like that. For A-Rod, it’s like that. For Berba, it may just be like that.