When Pablo Zabaleta took a call from his old friend Sylvinho during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he could hardly have imagined where it would lead. Two and a half years later, the former Argentina and Manchester City defender finds himself at the heart of one of football’s most compelling stories — guiding Albania to the brink of their first-ever World Cup qualification.
With Albania set to face Poland in the World Cup qualifying play-off, Flashscore sat down with Zabaleta to discuss the mission, the magic of Messi, and why he thinks you should book a holiday to Albania as soon as possible.
Albania are on the verge of something historic. What is the mood like inside the team and the country?
“You can see how happy people are about seeing the team reach the play-off for the first time, and how real the opportunity to qualify for the World Cup feels to them. After three years working in Albania, I genuinely feel part of the community. When we go out for a walk or a run in the park, people stop Sylvinho and tell him how much it would mean to see Albania at a World Cup.
“For a country that has never had this opportunity before, to see the excitement from the fans, from the media, it’s something truly special. Fingers crossed we can get through the next two games, because it would be an amazing experience.”
What has impressed you most since joining the coaching staff in Albania?
“To be honest, I didn’t know much about Albania before joining. As a player, I’d been to Croatia and Romania for Europa League games, but never Albania.
“I’ll never forget the first call from Sylvinho. I was actually in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup, working as a broadcaster covering the Argentina games, when he told me he was in talks with the Albanian Football Federation about becoming their head coach.
He sent me an email with 50 names and three or four Albania games to analyse, and asked for my impressions. When he eventually signed and offered me the role of assistant manager, I didn’t hesitate. We’ve known each other for many years and have always had a great relationship.
“What impressed me immediately was the quality of the players. Almost all of them play in top leagues – many in Italy, given the large Albanian community there, but also in Spain, Germany and England. We felt there was a real opportunity, and our first target was qualifying for the Euros in Germany.
“To finish top of a group containing Czech Republic, Poland, Iceland and Moldova was incredible. The Euros itself was a tough draw. Croatia, Spain and Italy… But we were proud of how the players performed.
“And then I arrived in Tirana for the first time and thought, “Wow, this is a wonderful, developing city.” We also spent a few days in southern Albania and saw beautiful beaches, beautiful landscapes. I’d fully recommend it as a destination.”
The passion for football there must be something else….
“Absolutely. Albania has a population of nearly three million people inside the country, but around ten million Albanians are living abroad. Including a very large community in the United States, particularly in Connecticut and New York. When you combine that diaspora with the passion you see across the Balkans for football, it creates something extraordinary. When we won away against Serbia, you could see people celebrating everywhere.
Call me crazy, but I quite like this draw. The teams in our path are beatable. pic.twitter.com/2yZZJgoEkx
— Albanian Football 🇦🇱 (@AlbanianFooty) November 20, 2025
“It’s been a truly wonderful experience, and I hope we can take it all the way to the World Cup.”
Albania face Poland in the play-off. How are you approaching the game, and what are your expectations?
“We know it’s going to be a very tough game. Playing in Warsaw is always difficult, and Poland have real quality individually – players performing at top clubs across Europe. With their new manager, they’ve shown they can compete with the best, playing well against the Netherlands in both fixtures.
“One advantage Poland will have is experience in this kind of situation. They reached the World Cup last time around by beating Sweden in a play-off. In knockout football, the ability to stay calm and manage the pressure of a two-legged tie is hugely important.
“That said, what I’ve seen from our players gives me confidence. Sylvinho and I have been travelling to watch them in action at their clubs, and when you sit with them for a coffee and look at their faces, you can see this means everything to them. They know this is a historic moment for their country. That motivation, combined with the quality we have, gives me belief. It’s a good signal when you see that kind of hunger in a player’s eyes.
Which Polish players are you most wary of?
“They’re a very dangerous team on the counter-attack. Players like Kaminski and Matty Cash, who’s been having a brilliant season at Aston Villa – very effective with crosses and shots from outside the box. Then you have Zalewski, and of course the experience of Lewandowski, who is always the focal point of their attack. He’s exceptional at holding the ball up, bringing others into play. And with Zielinski playing behind him, threading those through balls into the channels for the runners, they can hurt you very quickly in transition.
“Defensively, we need to be very well organised and limit the space we give them. But we’ve competed against Serbia, against England… We lost both England games, but we played good football and showed we can be disciplined and tactically solid. I believe we have a real chance.”
It sounds like the homework is already done. Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup more broadly, what kind of tournament are you expecting?
“The United States is always a wonderful host for a tournament of that scale. I was young at the time, but I think most people have fond memories of the 1994 World Cup, and as a player, I always enjoyed going there. Great stadiums, great facilities.
“The travel distances across such a huge country, especially with Canada and Mexico also hosting games, is a potential concern. Players generally don’t enjoy moving around too much during tournaments. But what does worry me slightly, and I say this having watched the Club World Cup, is the weather. Those storms can be severe. Seeing teams and supporters waiting inside while play is suspended for 40 minutes isn’t ideal for a World Cup. Safety has to come first, of course, and the protocols exist for good reason. But I hope we get smooth conditions for every game.
“On the positive side, demand for tickets has been enormous, which tells you the appetite is there. The World Cup is unique. There’s nothing quite like it. And I think we’re all going to enjoy it.”
Do you think he should finish his career at Barcelona?
“There’s been so much talk about that, especially with the presidential elections at the club. Honestly, when I was playing – whether for Espanyol, or with Manchester City in the Champions League against Barcelona – I could never have imagined Messi leaving the club. I assumed it would be forever. Whatever happened financially or behind the scenes, I can only speculate, because I wasn’t inside.
“He went to PSG, then decided on Inter Miami, and I think at that stage of a career sometimes you’re looking for more than just football. Miami is a wonderful place to raise a family, Inter Miami was a new and exciting project, and wherever Messi goes, he wins. He’s already won the MLS Cup.
“Every club in the world would want him. My son barely knew Inter Miami before Messi arrived; now he wants a Messi shirt. That’s the power of the man.
“As for a return to Barcelona – why not? A last dance? I’d love to see it.”
Finally, Pablo – what does it mean to you personally to put on the Argentina shirt at a major tournament?
“It’s a dream made real. Playing for your club is wonderful: the games every weekend, the competitions, the ambition… But representing your country is something different. I always say it’s pure football in its truest sense. It’s your people, your flag, your anthem. When I go back home and see the friends I’ve known since I was young, I still feel the same emotions I felt when I first kicked a ball. That connection is what separates playing for your country from anything else in football.
“Even losing the 2014 World Cup final against Germany at the Maracana, which still hurts, if I’m being honest, every time I watch it back, even that was one of the greatest experiences of my life. My family was there. My friends were there. Not many players can say they played in a World Cup final.
“And then winning the Olympic gold medal in Beijing in 2008, the Under-20 World Cup… So many moments representing Argentina that I will carry with me forever. It’s impossible to fully describe in words. It’s pure emotion, and I feel extraordinarily lucky.”
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