---
title: "Manchester City: Fans swoon as Pablo Zabaleta returns to Etihad Stadium for charity match"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-city-fans-swoon-as-pablo-zabaleta-returns-to-etihad-stadium-for-charity-match/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Josh Holland"
section: "Manchester City Football Club"
published: "2021-09-05T14:15:48Z"
modified: "2021-09-05T14:15:48Z"
---

# Manchester City: Fans swoon as Pablo Zabaleta returns to Etihad Stadium for charity match

**A number of Manchester City supporters have taken to [Twitter](https://twitter.com/City_Xtra/status/1434206727189245961) to send their love to the club’s former player Pablo Zabaleta after he returned to the Etihad Stadium for this year’s Soccer Aid over the weekend.**

The Argentine left City in [2017](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/pablo-zabaleta/transfers/spieler/20007) after nine years at the club, [winning](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/pablo-zabaleta/erfolge/spieler/20007) two Premier League titles, two League Cups and one FA Cup along the way, and has always been [fondly remembered](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/16/manchester-city-west-bromwich-albion-premier-league-match-report) for his time in Manchester. He made [333](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/pablo-zabaleta/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/20007) appearances during his time at the club, with [12 goals and 27 assists](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/pablo-zabaleta/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/20007) to his name.

Zabaleta enjoyed three years at West Ham United before retiring in October 2020. He is currently working with ESPN covering La Liga, where the 36-year-old played with Espanyol before moving to England on the 2008 transfer deadline day.

In Saturday evening’s Soccer Aid event, Zabaleta joined the likes of Roberto Carlos and Clarence Seedorf in the World XI as goals from Kem Cetinay and Lee Mack [earned them victory](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester-united-man-city-stars-21485600) in the charity event.

### City fans show their love at Zabaleta video

Lots of Manchester City fans were happy to see Zabaleta return to the Etihad after footage of him arriving at the stadium was shared by [@City\_Xtra](https://twitter.com/City_Xtra/status/1434206727189245961) on Twitter, with one supporter dubbing the 36-year-old a “legend”.

**“Legend… Where’s his statue?”**

Credit: [@energylevel](https://twitter.com/energylevel/status/1434286615724281859)

**“He actually played so well, could do a job at LB for us”**

Credit: [@IIM109](https://twitter.com/IIM109/status/1434252749223432193)

**“the GOAT”**

Credit: [@thebigkun](https://twitter.com/Thebigkun/status/1434206909540798471)

**“He earned all my respect. This is a typical character”**

Credit: [@erique\_kun](https://twitter.com/erique_kun/status/1434232195728674817)

**“Best right back”**

Credit: [@tito\_kyp](https://twitter.com/tito_kyp/status/1434388487114051589)

**“The legend”**

Credit: [@Taguero\_10](https://twitter.com/Taguero_10/status/1434206852879896577)

**In other news, lots of Manchester City fans fume about a potential ‘bidding war’ for a clinical striker. Find out more [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-city-transfer-rumours/manchester-city-fans-fume-at-erling-haaland-update/).**