- Premier League
Messi often asks about life at City - Zabaleta
Lionel Messi often asks good friend Pablo Zabaleta about life at Manchester City, according to reports in the Daily Mirror.
The Barcelona star is thought to be intrigued by the setup of the club, particularly since the 2008 arrival of owner Sheikh Mansour.
Zabaleta confirmed the pair were good friends when the Argentinian defender started out at Barca rivals Espanyol; and since he joined City, Messi has often asked what life is like there.
"I remember when we were in Barcelona, we were very close friends," Zabaleta said. "We 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, I think 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.
"He asked me a lot about City, but I couldn't tell him much because I didn't know much myself. It's something we often talk about, plus the fact that I'm still here."
On Sunday City enjoyed a 6-0 demolition of Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium, with Messi and Zabaleta's fellow compatriot Sergio Aguero scoring twice.
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