Zabaleta hoping magic of Tevez can get him a World Cup ticket from Maradona
24 Nov 2009 - 10:37:15
Pablo Zabaleta is backing Manchester City to guide Argentina to World Cup glory next year - at both ends of the pitch.
Training hard: But Manchester City duo Carlos Tevez (right) and Pablo Zabaleta find time to share a joke
The 24-year-old defender is hoping to impress Diego Maradona enough to get selected for the squad for South Africa and add to his seven caps - and partner City team-mate Carlos Tevez on the plane.
Zabaleta has become a regular at Eastlands while Tevez is still struggling to command a first-team place - but the former Roma insists Tevez remains an inspiration.
He said: 'I've played with Carlos before in the international team - I've always enjoyed playing alongside him because he is such a good player and he does so much for any side he plays in.
'As well as being with him here now that he is with us at City, I want to get back in the national squad alongside him as well.
Carlos changed the game when he came on against Liverpool at the weekend - he played well as soon as he was on and gave us more chances to score.
'I was happy for him because it's not easy when a player wants to start and always be part of the first eleven.
'But all players are important in a squad now, and Carlos showed that on Saturday. He was great when he came on.'
Although the World Cup is in his future plans, Zabaleta is concentrating hard on the present and making himself indispensible to City boss Mark Hughes.
'Everyone works hard here every day to get into the first team,' he added.
The man to impress: Argentina coach Diego Maradona
'We all know it's not easy because there are a lot of players with fantastic quality in this squad. You have to fight for your place because it seems that there's two of everyone now.
'I think there's a big difference with us this season, there have been a lot of changes over the year and we now have great players in every position."That's what you need, because there are so many games in the Premier League of a high standard all through the season. We all have to work twice as hard now but that's good for everyone and especially the team.'
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