Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester United star Dimitar Berbatov reveals: I was kidnapped when I played for CSKA Sofia
Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has revealed he was kidnapped 10 years ago while at CSKA Sofia.
The 28-year-old Bulgarian was grabbed after training by threehenchmen of gangster Georgi Iliev, who was believed to want the youngplayer to sign for his club, Levski Kjustendil.
'That's true,' the former Tottenham forward said when asked aboutthe incident. 'It was a horrific ordeal but a long time ago now. Thatwas a time back then, you know.'
Berbatov managed to make a frantic call to his father, Ivan, who intervened.
On fire: Berbatov celebrates his goal against Stoke last weekend
A decade later, the five-time Bulgarian player of the year is atthe top of his game but admits the weight of expectation on hisshoulders takes its toll.
'Sometimes the pressure is too big,' he told The Times. 'I don't dispute when somebody has paid so much money for you theyare expecting great things, but sometimes you are under so muchpressure you don't feel calm.
'For me to play very good, I need to feel calm, I need to feel thesupport of the players and the fans. Against Wolfsburg it was like arelease.
'The demands of playing for United were not a surprise. I joinedthe best team in the world, so of course there were going to be highdemands on my performances. It can be a really hard time, but you needto deal with this.
Of course the £30.75m fee brings extra pressurewith it. I always said it was a ridiculous amount of money, but it'sthe life we are living now.'
