This week’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage is sure to attract some big names to the New York venue, with each edition of this event always boasting no shortage of star power.
It has already been confirmed that Donald Trump will attend the event at some point over the coming days, where he will no doubt be joined by other big names from the world of sport and entertainment.
While seeing such figures at the Ryder Cup is common, one of them actually having a role within one of the teams is a far rarer occurrence.
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Italian Football Legend Handed Unexpected Role On European Ryder Cup Team
There will be no Italian players at this year’s Ryder Cup, but there will be some representations from the 2023 host nation on the European team.
Both Francesco Molinari and Edoardo Molinari will act as vice captains under Luke Donald, having also filled that role two years ago. As it turns out, one of them has also brought another well known Italian sportsman into the fold.
Former Chelsea footballer Gianfranco Zola is reportedly set to act as a designated buggy driver for the European Team, carting Francesco Molinari around during the action over the weekend.
He was even spotted in the photograph featuring the extended members of the European setup.
Yes, that is Gianfranco Zola.
The Italian football legend is Francesco Molinari’s designated buggy driver this week at Bethpage. pic.twitter.com/EQ9zaWb2sD
— Jamie Kennedy (@jamierkennedy) September 23, 2025
Certainly an unexpected crossover.
Francesco Molinari is a big football fans, becoming a West Ham supporter after he moved to England in 2009. Of course, Gianfranco Zola would manage The Hammers from 2008-2010.
His most recent job in coaching came as Chelsea as an assistant under Maurizio Sarri, which he left in 2019.
If he performs well over the coming days, maybe a full-time switch to the golf course could be in his future.
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