Pablo Zabaleta admits that he may have to accept that he has played in front of West Ham supporters for the last time.
The Argentine is set to leave West Ham at the end of the season, with the 35-year-old out of contract this summer, having signed a one-year extension in May 2019.
But with Premier League football currently suspended indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic and reports that it may return behind closed doors to finish the 2019/20 season, Zabaleta may not be given the opportunity to play in front of Hammers fans again.
And the former Manchester City defender admits that is something he may have to come to terms with as he said that, in his opinion, life will not be the same when football returns.
“Realistically, it’s not going to be the same. The Premier League and all the countries I’m sure will try to restart the league, but nothing will be the same," he said, in an interview with West Ham's club website.
“Mentally it’s very tough but as I say, all I’m trying to do is stay positive. For me, also because I was coming to the end of my career and it was my last season in England, and obviously I wanted to finish that season in a different way, playing in front of the fans, having those emotions and that adrenaline you always feel you need for the games.
“I know this but I will find myself maybe playing in front of empty stadiums with no fans and with different emotions, but that is something I cannot manage myself.
“Nobody expected this virus. It is the first time for many generations and it will change our style of life – that’s it. I need to accept it.”
But Zabaleta has delivered a key message for his team-mates and fans alike from his family home in Barcelona, where he is currently residing during the lockdown, having been given permission from the Hammers to return to Spain.
And the defender, who has donated a six-figure sum to the Hospital Santa Francisca Romana in his home city of Arrecifes in Argentina for the purchase of medical equipment, has urged everyone to abide by the measures put in place to help reduce the spread of the virus.
“This is the moment to stay at home, to be responsible, and of course for us as players we need to wait for the government and Premier League to make their decision and see if we can come back soon to our normal routine,” he said.
