The former No. 10: “The Scudetto and Supercoppa won by the Azzurri are symbols of greatness. Chivu is talented and well-prepared”

They don’t make number 10s like they used to anymore—those beautiful souls who draw you in—even with just a whisper—into fairy tales that only honorary officers of the Order of the British Empire could weave. Sir Gianfranco Zola is soccer that envelops you in its dreamlike parables; he is the breath of one’s origins, Sardinia, brought back to life; he is a call to the heart—Napoli, Parma, Chelsea, Cagliari, Torres, Nuorese—that dazzles you, because it embodies the gratitude for those years lived. Gianfranco Zola is that “magic box” where you go to listen to unforgettable melodies, verses of ageless soccer, of a timeless man, a 10 with honors.

A 2025 marked by Napoli is coming to an end, Zola.

“The Scudetto and Super Cup are symbols of a greatness that belongs to him. It’s undeniable and has been written over the last fifteen years, during which Aurelio De Laurentiis has invested powerfully and wisely.”

And what will 2026 bring…?

“The strongest, even if only by a little, is Inter for me. But I’m a romantic; I say Napoli for what it has meant in my life. My eldest son was born there, and I don’t need to be reminded of how much I’ve received from that city.“

Choose the men of the year.

”I could say Antonio Conte, who won. But that would be unfair to De Laurentiis. I could say Beppe Marotta, who has confirmed he’s the number one, but I shouldn’t overlook Cristian Chivu, a choice by the Nerazzurri president who is blowing me away.“

Try to guess the stars of the future.

”Complicated—I’d say impossible. Pio Esposito and Scamacca are gifts for the national team; Hojlund is driving everyone crazy, even the folks at Manchester United, who, after McTominay, also let go of a striker like him due to Ten Hag’s disastrous decisions. And then there’s Lautaro Martinez or Thuram. Or Chivu himself. Or Conte, who could make history by winning two consecutive titles in Naples.” 

Inter first, today. Why?

“They have two players of the highest caliber in every position, which elevates them to the international stage as one of the most influential teams. They were willing to take risks, they wanted Chivu, they believed in him, and Marotta and Ausilio were rewarded for that intuition: we must acknowledge the courage of that decision during those complicated and even painful days, the aftermath of the defeat against PSG, a somewhat tense atmosphere. And Chivu is proving his worth in every way: technically, tactically, and communicatively. He speaks well, says the right things, and is thoughtful. Inter is also the team of the two Champions League finals: reaching them was an achievement. Then they lost them, but, to put it simply, only one team can win.”

Milan up there—would you have said that?

“I wouldn’t have gone so far as to say they’d be contenders for the Scudetto. They have Allegri; he’s a key factor—he absorbs the difficulties and resolves them. His track record speaks for itself. And Max has the personality to lead a club with such an imposing history. He’ll hold on; he won’t give up.”

Napoli is today, however, a form of soccer “power” earned over time and on the field.

“The same applies to Inter, though in some ways amplified. There’s a lot of De Laurentiis in this dynamic, which has grown immense thanks to his ability to bring in Conte. A club that carries with it years and years of references to absolute authority, if we think about who the coaches have been in this era and which players have come and gone. And then there’s the immediacy in the transfer market: Lukaku gets injured, and they go out and buy Hojlund with cash.“

Coaches matter a lot.

”Of course they do. Think of Spalletti, who revived Juventus, and Gasperini, who with Roma can build on his triumphs with Atalanta. Gasp has even evolved lately; before it was just vertical play, now it’s also about passing—which wasn’t lacking before. But these are solutions that enrich the game.”

There’s something good going on in Cagliari too, and not just because of the sense of belonging.

“Fabio Pisacane has shaped the team, which plays with a lot of intelligence. Even against superior opponents, they go out and compete, always relying on their smarts. It’s a great way to establish a precise, clear, and very appealing identity.”

He also got to know Fabregas up close at Chelsea.

“During the year with Sarri, when we won the Europa League in Baku against Arsenal. An extraordinary player and a coach who will win people over: Como is no surprise, not because of how they play or the way they invest. They spend money but have a vision, with young players who are a joy to watch. And then there’s Italiano and Bologna, a solid club with consistently impressive results.”

2026 is the year of the World Cup: we can’t miss it.

“The history of our soccer can’t afford it, so everyone—including the press—must play a role and build momentum. We’re not a team to be written off—we never were—but we have to be there, because missing out on the last two was a huge blow. Gattuso needs support, even from luck: there are forwards who can bolster our already formidable attacking force, led by Kean and Retegui.”

Your drive comes from the bottom up: in Serie C, as vice president under President Marani, you’re developing concepts…

“Matteo is a top-notch manager. The work over the past few years has focused on strategic change within the clubs, and now we need to help investors find resources. We need to create a sustainable model; we started with quantity and now we’re pursuing quality. We need to build a system where executives willing to make financial sacrifices are supported so they can believe in what they’re doing, focus on young players, and give them confidence.”