West Ham defender Pablo Zabaleta is not ready to retire at the end of the season, he told Sky Sports News.
And Zabaleta confirmed that he would talk to the club at the end of the campaign about his future.
The veteran defender has been a key player for West Ham this season but is out of contract at the end of the year.
However, West Ham may have been handed a boost by news that he is not ready to hang his boots up.
Zabaleta at West Ham
Zabaleta joined West Ham on a free transfer after leaving Manchester City in summer 2017.
In one-and-a-half seasons with the Hammers, the right-back has endeared himself to fans with passionate and consistent performances.
Despite his age, the 33-year-old has been a regular starter for West Ham this year.
Zabaleta on his West Ham future
Zabaleta confirmed that he was happy at West Ham but talks about his future will be shelved until the end of the season.
He told Sky Sports News: “I’m so happy to be part of the West Ham family. I know I’m not getting any younger but I still feel alright, I’m playing in every single game and physically I feel good.
“We will see at the end of the season what the best decision is for me, the club, for everyone, but at the moment I don’t want to think about this, I just want to enjoy playing games.
“The main thing is to have a good season with the team.”
Zabaleta on retirement
According to a report by Spanish media outlet Sport, Zabaleta was set to hang up his boots at the end of the season.
But in his latest interview, Zabaleta has denied this and confirmed that he wants to keep playing.
Asked whether retirement was an option, Zabaleta added: “No, I’ll be 34 in January and I love football so much. If I continue playing in every game it means I can go for a few more years.
“When you are in your 30s you cannot think about long term, that is the only thing, but I’m not thinking about retirement.”
West Ham will surely be encouraged by these words as they look to tie the former Argentina international down to a new deal.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
