Chongqing - Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola’s recent visit to Chongqing for the club’s “The Famous CFC” fan event was more than a ceremonial appearance. In an exclusive conversation, the Italian maestro shared his first impressions of the city, his admiration for its football culture, and his advice for the next generation of Chinese players.
Held on January 16–17, the two-day event marked a lively chapter in Chelsea’s global fan engagement programme. Organised in partnership with the club’s global tire partner Linglong Tire, the activities brought the Chelsea experience directly to supporters in southwest China, creating moments of genuine connection and shared enthusiasm. As a leading global tire manufacturer, Linglong Tire shares Chelsea’s emphasis on excellence and its commitment to engaging international communities.
Zola, whose creativity and flair made him a cult hero at Chelsea FC and a fan favourite at Stamford Bridge, was clearly taken by his first encounter with Chongqing. “The energy is incredible,” he said, pointing both to the city’s dramatic mountainous landscape and the warmth of its people. “Walking through the streets and feeling the enthusiasm of the fans makes you feel immediately welcome.”
He also embraced the local food culture, sampling Chongqing noodles—“similar to pasta, but with a powerful, delicious kick”—and expressing keen interest in trying the city’s famous hot pot. For Zola, food and football share a common role. “Food, like football, brings people together,” he said. “Here, the passion is tangible—not only for cuisine, but for sport.”
That passion was most evident, he observed, within Chongqing’s football community. Hundreds of Blues supporters packed the venue, singing and celebrating Chelsea’s victory during the viewing party. “The atmosphere was fantastic—truly electric,” Zola said. “It shows a strong and growing football culture in Chongqing. This kind of fervour is essential. It creates the environment where love for the game can flourish, and that is the first, crucial step for any footballing nation.”
Looking ahead, Zola emphasised patience and long-term thinking as the keys to developing Chinese football. “China has the passion, the resources and the people,” he said. “The focus must be on nurturing young talent with quality coaching and, just as importantly, the right mentality.”
He closed with an aspirational note. “There is no reason why China cannot produce its own global icons,” Zola said. “The dream should be for China to have its own Lionel Messi, its own Cristiano Ronaldo. It starts with a child kicking a ball today, supported by a system that teaches not only skill, but also the resilience to overcome every obstacle. The journey is long, but the potential I see here makes it an exciting one.”