Gianfranco Zola, the Chelsea legend, has traded his cleats for… a golf cart key? The football icon has been spotted at the 2025 Ryder Cup in New York City, not as a player or coach, but as the designated buggy driver for Team Europe's vice-captain, Francesco Molinari.

Zola's presence at Bethpage Black Course has certainly turned heads. The diminutive Italian, known for his dazzling skills on the pitch, was seen in Team Europe's official photograph, sparking curiosity and amusement among fans. It soon emerged that he wasn't just there for moral support; he was there to chauffeur Molinari around the course.

The unlikely pairing of Zola and Molinari stems from a long-standing friendship. Molinari, the first Italian to win a major championship after his Open victory in 2018, is a keen West Ham supporter and became friends with Zola during the latter's time managing the club. Zola, a known golf enthusiast who has participated in pro-am events, was invited to join Luke Donald's backroom team, bringing his winning mentality to the Ryder Cup.

"First of all you have to be able to enter in a kind of protection bubble," Zola told Sky Sports, "This is one of the first things you need to learn when you play football because the environment is like that". He further added, "So you need to use it to your advantage, you have to get motivated by that and you can work it out. From what I see, they look so easy so it shouldn't be a problem".

While his primary duty is to ensure Molinari gets around the course efficiently, Zola is also offering advice to the European team, including stars like Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, and Justin Rose. He's sharing his experience in handling pressure and dealing with noisy crowds, drawing parallels between the intense atmosphere of a football stadium and the Ryder Cup. "You have to use it to your advantage, you have to keep yourself motivated and succeed," Zola stated, drawing on his years of experience in high-stakes football matches.

Zola's last official role in football was as an assistant coach at Chelsea in 2019. Now, he brings his experience to the greens, albeit in a different capacity. Team Europe hopes Zola's presence will bring them luck as they aim to retain the Ryder Cup. Europe is the current holder of the Ryder Cup, after their victory in Rome two years ago. The Ryder Cup is scheduled to take place between September 26 and September 28.

The sight of Zola behind the wheel of a buggy has undoubtedly added a touch of glamour and intrigue to the Ryder Cup. Whether his contribution extends beyond transportation and motivational talks remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Gianfranco Zola's Ryder Cup experience is proving to be a memorable one for players and fans alike.