The 2025 Ryder Cup begins in New York tomorrow (Friday) at the Bethpage Black Course, with the biennial event pitting Team Europe against hosts Team USA. Europe will hope to retain the famous trophy following their 2023 success.

But where do Chelsea fall into this? Well, in Justin Rose, there is a Blues supporter in the ranks of Team Europe. But the 45-year-old isn't quite club royalty. That is reserved for a special few.

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The person we're referring to is a bona fide Chelsea legend, and he will also be playing his part for Team Europe. Step forward, Gianfranco Zola.

The little Italian magician, who stakes a claim to being our greatest-ever player, will be the official buggy driver for countryman Francesco Molinari, one of the vice-captains for this year.

As a vice-captain, Molinari's role will be to keep captain Luke Donald updated with matches happening elsewhere on the course, as well as acting as a mentor to those in the team. Zola, a friend of Molinari’s, will be the one to drive him around the course, moving from hole to hole.

Being part of the team is seen as a huge honour in golf, so how did the opportunity come about? We’ll pass over to Franco to pick up the story from here…

‘Well, Francesco and I are very good friends and he told me about a small issue he had,’ Zola explains.

‘So he asked whether I would come in and be his buggy driver, and rather enthusiastically, I cancelled everything immediately to be there and accepted right away!

‘I’m a keen golfer myself, so to be involved is incredible. The team is a very good group to be a part of and to be representing Europe is some capacity, is a very good feeling.’

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