Argentina’s El Apache marked his 27th birthday with a hat-trick against West Brom to keep Roberto Mancini’s men at the heart of the title race and take his personal haul for the season to 20 goals.
Delighted team-mate Zabaleta said: “Carlos is a tremendous player and he has many more fantastic years ahead of him. He is very important to us as a player, as a person and as a leader, he’s one of the best in the business.
“I rate him as one of the best strikers in the world and I think he has found his spiritual home at City because his record is incredible.
“He is also right up there in the race to be the top scorer in the Premier League - he still has 12 games left to score many more goals, and we will do all we can to help him achieve that.”
Tevez has become a true Blues hero since his summer 2009 move - his status among City fans is matched only by the unqualified support he receives from the barrios of Buenos Aires and beyond.
Zaba said: ““Everyone in Argentina loves Carlos, because they know where he came from and how hard he battled to become one of the best footballers in the world.
He has passion, character and class - he has everything as a player, and this is why Argentinian people love him
“Lionel Messi has become more famous around the world, but the people back home knew and loved Carlos long before.
“Carlos played for a number of years for Boca Juniors before moving to England, whereas Messi left Argentina when he was 12 to live in Spain.”
