Zabaleta hopes to honour father

Pablo Zabaleta is hoping Manchester City can lift the FA Cup next month so he can dedicate the title to his dad.

His father, Jorge Zabaleta, was involved in a car crash two years ago and was left in a coma while Roberto Mancini guided City to glory against Stoke at Wembley. He has since been on a slow road to recovery and eagerly watches his son in action when he can.

After having booked their place in another showpeice final, the Manchester City defender is determined to fly his father out to north London to watch him lift the trophy in person.

“The first thing I did is talk to him. He was watching the game,” Zabaleta told reporters.

“I don’t know yet if he’ll come over, I’ll ask him. It would be good if he can try to come for the final.

“But that’s part of life, my wish would be to bring all the family here but I hope they enjoyed watching me on television.

“It was so difficult. Always when you play important games, you expect your family to come over and enjoy the good games with you.”

The Argentina international is not underestimating Wigan, though, and understands how well Roberto Martinez’s side have done in reaching the final.

He added: “We need to say well done to Wigan. They have got to the final for the first time ever. That means Roberto Martinez is doing a fantastic job for them.

“Always in one game anything can happen.

“Now we need to focus on the Premier League because we face Wigan on Wednesday night and it is a crucial game for them.

“They are in a tough moment and we also need to get three points to finish as high as possible this season. Now we will try to do better in the Premier League and then we will have to wait for the final.”