Manchester City and West Ham fans may well have spotted former player Pablo Zabaleta in the dug-out during Albania vs Italy in Euro 2024 on Saturday.
Albania get their Euro 2024 campaign in Group B, the group of death, underway on Saturday as they take on reigning champions Italy.
Croatia and Spain are still to come for The Red and Blacks in an incredibly difficult group.
However, Manchester City fans have spotted not one but two familiar faces in the Albania dug-out.
Not only are they managed by former left-back Sylvinho, but cult hero and former right-back Pablo Zabaleta is his assistant.
West Ham fans may also be intrigued to see Zabaleta, who ended his career with the London club, at this summer’s tournament.
But who is Zabaleta? We’ve answered all your most answered questions below.
How old is Pablo Zabaleta?
Pablo Javier Zabaleta Girod was born on January 16, 1985, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
As of June 2024, he is 39 years old.
Pablo Zabaleta height
Pablo Zabaleta is 5 feet 7 inches (177cm) tall according to Transfermarkt.
When did Pablo Zabaleta join the Albania national team?
Following retirement, Pablo Zabaleta tried his hand at punditry and was a regular presence on the BBC during the 2022 World Cup, won by his country Argentina. He has also worked for ESPN covering La Liga.
However, since 2023 he has been a part of the Albania national team coaching staff, serving as assistant to manager Sylvinho.
It’s his first job in coaching.
Pablo Zabaleta Twitter/X and Instagram accounts
Pablo Zabaleta has an official Instagram account with 112,00 followers and you can find it @pabo_zabaleta_5.
The former defender often posts memories from his playing days and photos with the Albania team.
Zabaleta also has 2.7m followers on X, formerly Twitter, @pablo_zabaleta.
Clubs Pablo Zabaleta played for
Pablo Zabalet’s career path in full:
- San Lorenzo – 1997-2005
- Espanyol – 2005-2008
- Manchester City – 2008-2017
- West Ham United – 2017-2020
Pablo Zabaleta career stats
Pablo Zabaleta trophies won
Pablo Zabaleta enjoyed a glittering career.
San Lorenzo trophies won
- x1 Copa Sudamericana – 2001/02
Espanyol Trophies won
- 1x Copa del Rey – 2005/06
Man City trophies won
- 2x Premier League titles – 2011/12, 2013/14
- 1x FA Cup – 2011
- 2x League Cups – 2014, 2016
- 1x Community Shield – 2012/13
Argentina trophies won
- 1x Olympic gold medal – 2008
- 1x Under-20 World Cup – 2005
- 1x World Cup silver medal – 2014
- 1x Copa America silver medal – 2015
Individual honours
- PFA Team of the Year – 2012–13 Premier League
- Manchester City Player of the Year – 2012–13
- Manchester City Player of the Month – January 2009, December 2012, January 2013
- FIFPro World XI 5th team – 2013, 2014
Pablo Zabaleta wife
Zabaleta has been married to his wife Christel Castano for over a decade after they tied the knot in Pilar, Argentina, in 2013.
The couple have two sons, Asier and Julen, together.
Pablo Zabaleta song lyrics
Zabaleta was a fan favourite during his nine-year tenure at the Etihad Stadium and supporters made sure to honour him with a chant, taking a shot at a Manchester United legend in the process.
Here are the lyrics:
Pablo Zabaleta,
He is the ______ man,
He is an Argentinian,
He’s harder than Jaap Stam,
He plays in blue and white,
For Pellegrini’s men,
And when we win the league, we’ll sing this song again,
Ohhhhhh…
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