Former Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur striker Dimitar Berbatov believes England have what it takes to finally end decades of World Cup heartbreak, while insisting that football fans should never write off Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo despite their advancing years.
Speaking to tabla! during a series of fan events at Resorts World Sentosa, the Bulgarian legend also praised emerging football nations such as Japan, reflected candidly on the decline of Bulgarian football and defended his “intelligent playing style” that critics once unfairly labelled as “lazy”.
Berbatov, who appeared at exclusive meet-and-greet sessions before headlining the “Breakfast with the Legend” event at Adventure Cove Waterpark, said staying connected with supporters remains one of the most rewarding aspects of retirement.
“When you stop playing football, you still want to feel connected with the fans,” the 45-year-old said. “I can still travel the world, meet supporters, old friends and journalists, and express how I see football now. Those opportunities are always special.”
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup producing thrilling matches and several surprise packages, Berbatov is sticking with England as his pick to lift the trophy.
“I always support England in the major tournaments because I have a great connection and bond with the country,” he said. “They have tremendous talent at their disposal. Sometimes talent alone isn’t enough, but I’m still going for England.”
Berbatov, who made 108 appearances for United and 70 for Tottenham, scored a total of 122 English Premier League goals.
He acknowledged, however, that traditional heavyweights remain formidable.
“Messi is still there, Ronaldo is still there. France, Spain and even the Netherlands can surprise people. The big dogs are still there.”
Despite the emergence of younger stars, Berbatov believes Messi and Ronaldo continue to demonstrate why they have dominated world football for nearly two decades.
“So far, all the big names are doing what they’re supposed to do,” he said. “Messi is leading the Golden Boot race while Ronaldo has started scoring as well. Their consistency, concentration and pure love of the game keep them performing at the highest level.”
The former Bulgaria captain added that the duo’s longevity comes down to professionalism rather than talent alone.
“They know how to recover, what to eat, when to sleep and how to look after their bodies. Ronaldo is the perfect example. Elite athletes lead by example, and consistency is what separates them.”
While Berbatov admires football’s superstars, he admitted he has a soft spot for underdogs.
The 2026 tournament has already seen several smaller nations punch above their weight, including Cape Verde reaching the knockout stages on their World Cup debut, Curacao earning their first-ever World Cup point and Japan impressing with disciplined performances.
“I always love underdog stories,” Berbatov said. “Our nation (Bulgaria) was the underdog in 1994, and we surprised everybody. That’s what the World Cup is about. It’s the biggest stage, but also a chance for newcomers to show they can play football.”
He believes established football powers underestimate Asian and African nations at their own peril.
“Sometimes Europeans think football is played only in Europe, which is simply not true,” he said. “If you underestimate teams from Asia or Africa, you’re going to suffer because they can surprise you.”
Among Asian teams, Berbatov singled out Japan for particular praise.
“As long as you’re winning games, your nation will be happy. Japan have shown they belong. Being underestimated can actually become a weapon.”
One subject close to Berbatov’s heart remains the dramatic decline of Bulgarian football since its glorious fourth-place finish at the 1994 World Cup.
Asked why Bulgaria have disappeared from football’s biggest stage, the country’s all-time leading joint scorer with 48 goals did not hold back.
“Unfortunately, we’ve been living too much in the past,” he said. “We didn’t build on the success of 1994. Infrastructure, stadiums, places for children to play, financial support and sponsorships were all lacking.”
He also criticised football administrators.
“The people running Bulgarian football didn’t do their job. When you put all these factors together, you cannot produce enough talented players to move the national team forward.”
For Berbatov, who played for Bulgaria 78 times, rebuilding requires both structural reforms and greater ambition among young players.
“They shouldn’t be afraid to leave Bulgaria, test themselves in Germany or England and challenge themselves. Your ambition needs to be bigger than your fear.”
The former Premier League star also addressed one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding his own playing career.
Widely admired for his effortless first touch and graceful movement, Berbatov was often criticised for appearing too relaxed on the pitch. He rejects the description completely.
“My style wasn’t lazy. It was smart elegance,” he said.
He pointed to Messi as the perfect modern example.
“Messi walks for long periods during games, but nobody calls him lazy. He’s intelligent. He saves his energy for the moments that matter.”
According to Berbatov, football intelligence remains one of the sport’s most underrated qualities.
“Football isn’t about running all the time,” he explained. “If you’re quick in your head and your mind, you’ll be the fastest player on the pitch. You can run like a headless chicken, but if you don’t think quickly, it doesn’t help.”
Watching Messi continue to dominate at 39 has only reinforced that belief.
“He’s still dancing with the ball, flowing across the pitch, waiting for the perfect moment. That’s intelligence.”
Asked what advice he would offer aspiring footballers in Singapore hoping to reach the international stage, Berbatov emphasised dreaming big, embracing challenges and remaining consistent.
“Everything starts with talent, then comes the dream,” he said. “Don’t stay inside your comfort zone. Football is a worldwide game, and if you want people to know your name, you need the courage to chase the biggest stage.”
His final message was simple but powerful.
“Your ambition needs to be bigger than your fear. And without consistency, you’ll never finish the journey successfully.”
