Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov has curiously turned up second in the temporary ranking of the 2011 edition of the traditional Footballer of the Year survey, right behind Dimitar Berbatov.

The traditional survey, carried out among all interested Bulgarians by the website http://futbolist1.bg/ , has as Borisov second at the moment with 22%, behind the Manchester United forward with 34% of the vote.

The center-right EPP politician, chairman of best-supported Bulgarian party GERB, has a keenness for all things sport and in the past has coached Bulgaria's karate team.

At present, Boyko Borisov plays football in the amateur Vitosha Bistritsa club.

In the temporary ranking, after the Bulgarian PM are Aston Villa's Stilian Petrov (9%), and Twente's Nikolay Mihaylov (8%), followed by Vladimir Gadzhev from Levski Sofia (5%).

The 2011 edition of Bulgaria's Footballer of the Year survey was launched Saturday and the first round will last until next Sunday, December 4.

All fans can vote until then, after which a team of sport jounalists will determine the 10 finalists out of the Top 20.

As things stand, Bulgaria's PM Borisov has a good chance to make it to the final round.