Who is Berbatov, the ex-striker Jardim likened to Flamengo’s Pedro? | OneFootball

Leonardo Jardim likened Flamengo striker Pedro to Dimitar Berbatov as he lamented the forward’s omission from Brazil’s World Cup squad.

The comparison came after Flamengo’s 1-0 win over Estudiantes in the Libertadores at the Maracanã, where Pedro scored the decisive goal. According to Globo.com, it was the team’s first match since Carlo Ancelotti named his final list without the No 9.

Jardim described Pedro as a special player with a unique technical repertoire in Brazil. He accepted others may be quicker or stronger, but felt Pedro’s technique stands apart, drawing a parallel with Berbatov, and said it was a pity not to see him selected.

Berbatov, 45, captained Bulgaria from 2006 to 2010 and is the nation’s all-time leading scorer. He won his country’s player of the year award seven times.

The former striker shone for Bayer Leverkusen and Tottenham, noted for tactical intelligence, clinical finishing and a refined touch for a centre-forward.

He played under Jardim at Monaco for one season, registering 38 appearances, nine goals and one assist, and retired in 2018 after a stint in Indian football. Berbatov’s peak came at Manchester United, where he scored 56 goals in 149 games between 2008 and 2012. Jardim cited similarities with Pedro in ball control, precise finishing and composure in the box, along with associative play and dropping to help build moves.

Source: Globo.com