Gianfranco Zola was born on July 5, 1966, in Oliena, Italy. He signed his first professional contract at the age of 18 with Sardinian team Nuorese.
Joining Napoli in the 1989/90 season he was understudy to Diego Maradona, and claims that his own brilliant free-kick talents were inspired by watching the Argentinean legend in training.
During his time with Napoli and later Parma, Zola won the UEFA Cup, Italian Super Cup, Serie A and the UEFA Super Cup.
During seven spectacular seasons with Chelsea the Italian hero scored 80 goals in 312 matches, many of which were spectacular. The diminutive midfielder was named Chelsea Player of the Year in 1999 and 2003. He was also the Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year in 1997.
In 2003 the little Italian was voted Chelsea’s greatest ever player, receiving 60 per cent of the votes polled on the club’s official website. As a Chelsea player Zola won two FA Cups, a League Cup, the Charity Shield, a UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and the UEFA Super Cup.
The sensational Italian ended his playing career in 2005, with a record of 193 goals in 628 games. He scored ten times for Italy in 35 appearances.