Oh how I will miss Zaba, our warrior and one of a very few that is allowed to kiss the badge. I hope he is a succes at his next club only to come back asap and settle at our club forever.
Very emotional evening, it's gona hurt for a long long time. Dread to think what it's gona be like when more genuine heroes like Vinny go. The timing is right, but it's like losing an old dog who's been so loyal to the end.
All the best for the future Pablo, thanks for everything.
I don't think there are any more genuine heroes than Zab in this current crop though. Him and Kompany are probably the stand out pair. Obviously there are more talented players like Silva, Toure and Aguero and it will be sad when they go but the reason nights like last night are so emotional is because people like Zabaleta and Kompany have formed a massive connection with the club and the fans. We're very lucky to have world class superstars in our squad these days but guys like those two are real club men and their absence will be felt the most by the fans (obvs Kompany hasn't gone yet). You can go and buy another £50m superstar whenever you want but guys like Zab just can't be replaced. It's such a rarity to see foreign players embrace the city, the club and the fans. Kompany and Zabaleta speak with manc accents and have both said before how much it means to them that their kids were born here. That reciprocal love/respect between players and fans is really important in the modern game i think. We have other heroes in our squad for sure, but I don't think any are more "genuine" than him.
Silva is just as much a legend as zabba and vinny. He is just quieter and gets on with it not that zabba and vinny have ever looked for attention.
I not sure Silva speaks good English but rarely does interviews. He could be our Scholes in that after his career he never shuts the fuck up.
Silva is possibly the best we've had but in terms of fan connection (which I think is what we're talking about here) he doesn't come close to Zabaleta or Kompany. He's been an absolute pro but he's a different sort to those two.
100% agree said to the kids thats what being a blue is all about .other.clubs would of sponsored it or had some knob with a funny haircut dabbing or something daft.An emotional evening.
Nights like that set City, and supporting City, apart from everyone else IMO, you can win all the silverware you want, but in an age where players come and go at will, the reception Zabba got was just perfection, certainly a night I won't forget in a long long time.
As an aside, I hope tonight helped Pep 'get' the club a little more - and why its so different, and so special to all of us. If he ends up half as invested as Zabba, we could have some really special times up ahead.
I wondered if that was you EcclesSo did I and then got a text from my son as I was coming out of the ground at the end saying; 'you silly old trout fancy crying on live TV'!! How was I to know I was on TV when I was crying and wiping away the tears!! Plus I was wearing a Zaba 'bandage' because I thought a lot of people were going to wear them and I was the only one in the CBL1 as far as I could see!!
It was a fantastic send off for a wonderful player, a true Blue, a legend. Loved his little lad not waving with him and doing his own thing!! :-)