Zola in a league of his own

By Paolo Menicucci

There may have been players with a touch more genius and guile than Gianfranco Zola but in terms of professionalism, humility, positive approach and determination, the diminutive magician was in a league of his own.

Glittering career
One week before turning 39, the likeable Sardinian announced his decision to bring an end to a 21-year career which graced both Serie A and the Premiership. In England he is still considered one of the best foreign imports ever following his spell at Chelsea FC between 1996 and 2003. Not only was he voted the greatest player in the London club's history, he was also awarded an OBE, a British civil honour, for his service to football, in 2004.

Five trophies
At Stamford Bridge, Zola scored 80 goals and lifted five trophies. "I am proud of being Italian and Sardinian but I also feel that England is my second home," he said. More than anything else, though, he won the respect of English fans and colleagues who recognised him as something more than just a classy player.

Eternal smile
On the pitch he was famed for those exquisite set-pieces and his beaming smile, but on the training ground his old team-mates will remember him staying long after everyone had departed to ensure those deadly free-kicks were primed for the following Saturday. When he was forced to start on the bench, Zola never moaned, and there were no tantrums when he was deemed too old for the Italian national side after 35 caps.

Memorable goal
In those difficult moments Zola only tried to prove his coaches wrong, a point perfectly illustrated when he came off the bench in the 1998 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final to score the winning goal against VfB Stuttgart.

Scudetto with Napoli
Zola was worshipped in his native Sardinia when he played with Nuorese Calcio, and even when he understudied the legendary Diego Maradona as SSC Napoli won a second Scudetto.

Maradona praise
"A footballer as small as me has quit football," said Maradona when he heard of Zola's retirement. "A great footballer, but also a fantastic man and a very good friend of mine." After hitting the heights at the San Paolo stadium, Zola enjoyed a successful stay with Parma FC where he won the UEFA Cup in 1995, before moving to England.

Dream ticket
And finally, a desire to bring down the curtain on his career with Cagliari Calcio prompted the difficult decision to leave London and take a step down into Serie B. Zola's first campaign on the island was a triumph. Cagliari ended a four-year exile from the élite by gaining promotion, and the team followed it up by avoiding relegation in 2004/05. "My dream was to help this team return to, and stay in, Serie A," said Zola, who celebrates his birthday today. "I think I have made a contribution and this is something that fills me with pride."

True legend
"He left football with the same class he had on the pitch," said Cagliari president Massimo Cellino. A gentleman on and off the field, he may have quit football but Zola will always be remembered as a legend of the European game.