Gianfranco Zola, OBE, Ufficiale OMRI is an Italian former footballer, who played predominantly as a forward, and is currently a football manager. He spent the first decade of his playing career playing in Italy, most notably with Napoli, alongside Diego Maradona and Careca, and at Parma, where he was able to win the Serie A title, the Italian Supercup, and the UEFA Cup. He later moved to English side Chelsea, where he was voted the Football Writers' Player of the Year in the 1996?97 season. During his time at the club, he won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, the UEFA Supercup, two FA Cups, the League Cup, and the Community Shield. In 2003 he was voted Chelsea's greatest player ever. He was capped 35 times for Italy from his debut in 1991, appearing at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, where Italy finished in second place, and Euro 96. During his playing career, Zola was primarily used as a supporting striker or as a playmaking attacking midfielder, also being deployed as a winger on occasion. A creative and technical player, Zola was renowned for his ball control, his skilful dribbling ability, vision, and passing ability, as well as his eye for goal. 

July 5th, 1966 in Oliena (Age 57)