Pablo Zabaleta

Pablo Javier Zabaleta (born 16 January 1985 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentina Association football, currently playing for Manchester City F.C. in the Premier League. Pablo Zabaleta operates on the right side of the pitch, either as a Defender (association football) or midfielder. Pablo Zabaleta also holds a Spain passport.

Club career

San Lorenzo

Zabaleta was raised in Arrecifes. Pablo Zabaleta began Pablo Zabaleta career at Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro in 2002 after progressing through their youth ranks, having been signed at the age of 12 from local club Obras Sanitarias. Pablo Zabaleta started playing as a defensive midfielder but eventually moved to the right side.

Espanyol

Zabaleta was transferred to Spain's RCD Espanyol de Barcelona in 2005 for €3 million, after being Argentina national under-20 football team's captain (football) in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, which Argentina won.

In January 2007, Pablo Zabaleta suffered a shoulder injury that kept Pablo Zabaleta off the pitch for almost 3 months, already having established himself as an undisputed starter. In May of that same year, Zabaleta was able to play in the starting team in the 2007 UEFA Cup Final in Glasgow, where Espanyol lost on penalties against Sevilla FC.

Manchester City

Having passed a medical and agreed personal terms, Zabaleta completed Pablo Zabaleta move to Manchester City on 31 August 2008. Pablo Zabaleta signed for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £6.45 million, on a five-year contract. Pablo Zabaleta was given the number 5 shirt. Zabaleta scored Pablo Zabaleta first goal for City on 17 January 2009, the only goal of the game in a 1-0 league win over Wigan Athletic F.C.. Zabaleta has recently switched to the centre of midfield, with the return to fitness of Nedum Onuoha pushing Pablo Zabaleta further forward. This switch has shown an improvement in Pablo Zabaleta performances.

International career

At the age of 14, Zabaleta was called up by Hugo Tocalli to Argentina U-15's. Pablo Zabaleta took part in many youth tournaments, including the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship and 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, winning the latter in the Netherlands. Pablo Zabaleta received over 75 callups to youth national sides, and started representing Argentina national football team in 2005. Pablo Zabaleta was also a member of the Gold Medal winning team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, starting at right back and playing all 6 matches.

Statistics

¹ Copa del Rey, Supercopa de España, FA Cup, Football League Cup y Community Shield.

² Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana, Recopa Sudamericana, Liga de Campeones de la UEFA, Copa de la UEFA, UEFA Super Cup y FIFA Club World Cup.

Honours and awards