Tell me a bio of Pablo Zabaleta.

Include key facts about their life, career, achievements, and impact.

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Pablo Zabaleta is an Argentine former professional footballer who played as a right-back. Born on January 4, 1985, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Zabaleta began his youth career at San Lorenzo before moving to Spain to join Espanyol's youth academy.

**Early Career and Rise to Prominence**

Zabaleta made his professional debut for Espanyol in 2002. However, he struggled to establish himself in the team and eventually moved to Alavés in 2005. His performances caught the attention of Manchester City, who signed him in 2008 for a reported £6.5 million.

**Manchester City and Success**

Zabaleta's move to Manchester City marked the beginning of a successful period in his career. He quickly established himself as a key player, known for his defensive skills, work rate, and dedication. During his time at Manchester City, the team won several titles, including the Premier League (2011-2012, 2013-2014, 2017-2018), the FA Cup (2011), and the League Cup (2014, 2016).

**International Career**

Zabaleta made his international debut for Argentina in 2005. He represented the country at several major tournaments, including the World Cup (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018) and the Copa América (2007, 2011, 2015).

**Achievements and Impact**

Throughout his career, Zabaleta has achieved numerous accolades, including:

* 3 Premier League titles (2011-2012, 2013-2014, 2017-2018)
* 1 FA Cup (2011)
* 2 League Cup titles (2014, 2016)
* 1 UEFA Champions League runner-up (2020)
* 1 UEFA Europa League runner-up (2020)
* 1 Copa América runner-up (2015)
* 1 FIFA World Cup runner-up (2014)

Zabaleta's dedication, work ethic, and leadership qualities have made him a respected figure in the football world. He has been praised for his ability to adapt to different playing styles and his willingness to learn and improve.

**Post-Playing Career**

After retiring from professional football in 2020, Zabaleta has remained involved in the sport. He has worked as a pundit and analyst for various media outlets, including Sky Sports and beIN Sports. He has also been involved in charity work, particularly in his native Argentina, where he has supported initiatives to promote football development and education.

Overall, Pablo Zabaleta's career has been marked by success, dedication, and a commitment to excellence. His achievements on the pitch have earned him a reputation as one of the greatest right-backs in Premier League history.
Pablo Zabaleta is an Argentine former professional footballer who played as a right-back. He is known for his excellent defensive skills, vision, and leadership on the pitch. Here's a brief bio of Zabaleta's life, career, achievements, and impact:

**Early Life**

Pablo Zabaleta was born on January 16, 1985, in Bernal, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. He grew up in a sports-loving family and was introduced to football at a young age.

**Career**

Zabaleta began his football career at the youth academy of Banfield in Argentina. In 2002, he joined the youth team of Celta Vigo in Spain, but he was soon loaned to Alcala de Henares in the lower divisions.

In 2005, Zabaleta joined Eibar in the Spanish second division and quickly established himself as a first-team regular. His impressive performances caught the attention of Manchester City, and he signed a five-year contract with the Premier League club in 2008.

Zabaleta's time at Manchester City was extremely successful. He won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and two League Cups. He also made over 300 appearances for the club and played alongside some of the world's top players, including Sergio Agüero, David Silva, and Vincent Kompany.

In 2017, Zabaleta signed a one-year contract with West Ham United, where he played for two seasons before announcing his retirement from professional football in June 2019.

**Achievements**

Some of Zabaleta's notable achievements include:

* Four-time Premier League winner (2008-09, 2011-12, 2013-14, 2017-18)
* Two-time FA Cup winner (2011, 2016)
* Two-time League Cup winner (2014, 2016)
* Selected for the Argentine national team over 57 times
* Won the FIFA World Cup with Argentina in 2022 at the age of 37.

**Impact**

Pablo Zabaleta is considered one of the greatest right-backs in Premier League history. His leadership, defensive skills, and ability to read the game made him an invaluable asset to Manchester City and the Argentine national team.

Off the pitch, Zabaleta is known for his humble and down-to-earth personality. He is respected by fans and former teammates for his commitment to the sport and his community.

After retiring from football, Zabaleta has remained involved in the sport as a coach and commentator. He has also been involved in various charitable initiatives, including working with the Manchester City Foundation to support local community projects.