Dimitar Berbatov has had several key moments during his time with the Bulgarian national football side, winning his first cap in 1999 in a friendly with Greece at the age of 18. At the time, he was playing for one of Bulgaria's leading football teams, CSKA Sofia.

His first goal for the national team came the following year in another friendly, against Chile, which Bulgaria lost 2-3. His only hat trick for the national side came in the final qualifying match for the 2010 World Cup against Georgia, which Bulgaria won 6-2 in Sofia.

Berbatov's greatest success with the team was in 2004, when aged only 23 he was a key player in the squad that qualified for the European championship final tournament in Portugal. Bulgaria finished top of its qualifying group ahead of Croatia and Belgium.

Sadly, the team failed to produce any memorable play at the tournament and finished last in its group after a disappointing performance and scoring just one goal, a spot kick by Martin Petrov. Bulgaria was defeated in each group stage match: 5-0 by Sweden, 2-0 by Denmark and 2-1 by Italy.

The 2004 European championship was the last time Bulgaria qualified for a major international tournament despite some good performances in the qualifying rounds.

On a personal level, the year 2007 can also be considered important for Berbatov as this was when he became captain of the national team succeeding Stilyan Petrov, who quit the team only to return less than a year later.

Another important moment for Berbatov that granted him a place in Bulgaria's football history was November 18 2009 when his two goals in a friendly against Malta made him the all-time top scorer for the national team with 48 in 77 appearances. The previous record was held by Hristo Bonev, whose 47 goals came in 96 matches.

Berbatov's last appearance for the national team was the 2-0 defeat to Poland on March 3.