Tireless Manchester City star Pablo Zabaleta hopes to invite his ill father to Wembley for the FA Cup final after helping the Citizens beat Chelsea yesterday.
The rampaging Argentine full-back put in another typically committed display to deny Chelsea their fifth FA Cup final in seven years.
And he revealed dad Jorge – who was seriously injured in a horrific car accident in 2011 – could be well enough to make it to Wembley next month.
“The first thing I’m going to do on the bus is call my Dad and he’ll have been watching the game for sure,” he told CityTV after the match.
“I wish to bring all the family here and sometimes it’s difficult. When we win they enjoy it from miles away, but at the end they enjoy it.
“I don’t know [if he will make the final], I will ask him if he’s good to try to come for the final but sometimes that’s part of life.”
Pre-match, the 28-year-old had already explained: “He is getting better and progressing all the time which is fantastic.”
Zabaleta was given indefinite leave in March 2011 after the car accident left his father in a coma in Buenos Aires.
He returned to the starting line-up to help City beat Manchester rivals United in the FA Cup semi-final the following month however.
And after helping City to win their second Wembley semi-final in three years on Sunday, the full-back – who felt the victory was deserved – admitted it was another special occasion.
“Every time that you win at Wembley you enjoy it but I think we played a great game especially in the first half,” he said. “We controlled the ball and we created chances.
“The spirit that we showed in some parts of the game was fantastic. It’s always special when you play here and get a result – and we did it so we’re really happy for that.
“We’re so happy because the team did a fantastic performance today.
“I must say thank you to the fans as well for the massive support.”
Image courtesy of Manchester City, via CityTV, with thanks.
For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.
