ENGLAND fans were left stunned after spotting a Premier League legend on the Albania bench.
The Three Lions take on the Albanian national team in their opening 2026 World Cup qualifier at Wembley, which marks their first match under new manager Thomas Tuchel.
And during the national anthems the camera panned in on the visitors’ bench, where former Arsenal and Manchester City ace Sylvinho stands out as the manager.
However, another familiar Man City figure caught the viewers’ eye, and it hapened to be one of the Prem’s greatest ever players.
That was none other than the Citizens’ legendary right-back Pablo Zabaleta himself.
Zabaleta, 40, joined Albania in 2023 alongside Sylvinho and helped them reach Euro 2024.
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But England fans were still surprised to see the ex-Argentina international as assistant managers often go a little unnoticed compared to the head coaches, especially if the boss had an impressive career.
One supporter tweeted: “Nice to see Pablo Zabaleta.”
Another commented: “Albania vs. England is on. Pablo Zabaleta is Albania’s assistant coach. I just found out. Random fact of the day.”
A third wrote: “Zabaleta is the Albanian assistant manager. Your learn something new.”
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This fan said: “PABLO ZABALETA IS ON THE COACHING STAFF OF ALBANIA?!!?!? I know who I’m rooting for.”
And that one gushed: “Was that Pablo Zabaleta I just saw?”
Zabaleta amassed 333 appearances with Man City where he won two Premier League titles, two League Cup trophies and the FA Cup during a nine-year stint at the Etihad until his exit in 2017.
