Lionel Messi curious about Manchester City's European ambitions

PABLO ZABALETA has revealed that Lionel Messi keeps tabs on Manchester City’s bid to become one of Europe's top clubs.

Pablo Zabaleta admits Lionel Messi is curious [GETTY]

Zabaleta has been friends with Argentina international team-mate Messi since he played for Barcelona’s neighbours, Espanyol, before joining City for £6m in August 2008 - the last player signed before Abu Dhabi billionaire Sheikh Mansour bought the club.

Despite speculation often linking him with City, Messi says he wants to see out his career with Barca - but Zabaleta says the four-times world player of the year remains curious about life at the Etihad Stadium.


He said: "I remember when we were in Barcelona we were very close friends because we were living in the same city and had known each other for a number of years.

"I was just starting out at Espanyol and Lionel was at Barca.  When I signed for City, two days later the news broke that Sheikh Mansour had bought the club and Lionel always recalls that I joined at such a fantastic time.

Pablo Zabaelta has no qualms about facing Lionel Messi and co in the Champions League [GETTY]

He asked me a lot about City but I couldn't tell him much [at the time] because I didn't know much myself

Pablo Zabaleta

"He asked me a lot about City but I couldn't tell him much [at the time] because I didn't know much myself - but it's something we often talk about now. Plus the fact that I'm still here!"
Zabaleta believes City’s star-studded squad now stands comparison with Barcelona and says he would have no qualms about facing Messi and co if they were paired together in the knock-out stages of the Champions League.
"I think we are about level at the moment,” he added., in an interview in City's official match day programme. “If we have to face Barca in the Champions League we will be ready and I think it will be a fantastic game - but we'll wait and see.
"I played against Messi and Barca for Espanyol and I recall in my second season at City we played a pre-season friendly in the Nou Camp in the Joan Gamper Trophy and we won 1-0 with a goal from Martin Petrov.”