Before the World Cup final, Italian football legend and 2006 World Cup champion Zambrotta received an invitation from GALA SPORTS to come to Chengdu to participate in an offline carnival event.

After retiring, Zambrotta did not leave football. He had coaching experience in Switzerland and India, and in 2017 he also came to China as a member of Capello's assistant coaching team, spending a year at Jiangsu Suning. Although he has not coached since then, he still serves as an advisor to the Italian Football Federation.

As a key player in Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning squad, Zambrotta is capable of playing in multiple positions on the field, and this versatility makes him a favorite among players in football games. This time, Zambrotta joins "Best Club" as a legendary star, adding another brilliant piece to the game's copyright portfolio. It also allows club managers to personally relive the memories of the Italian champion defender on the pitch, continuing the legendary summer of 2006 at their fingertips.

Currently, Best Club has opened a circle on Dongqiudi. Welcome to join and have fun!

During the event, Dongqiudi was invited to have a quick conversation with Zambrotta, where we talked about games, the World Cup, and football in Italy and China.

Interview & Article by Wan Yu

Which team's performance impressed you the most during the World Cup?

The best teams were definitely the champions Spain, and then France; they could have played even better, which is a real shame.

Where are the players?

Mbappe was fantastic; he won the Golden Boot. And of course, there's Messi. Although he was limited in the final, he's still a very, very great player.

You were teammates with Messi for two years. What were your impressions of him back then?

Messi was very young then, probably just over 20, but he was already a genius player. I felt then that he had a bright future, and he certainly achieved amazing success in the following years.

Zambrotta and Messi celebrate a goal

Where do you usually go to watch the World Cup when you're in Italy?

Most of the time, I still prefer to watch the World Cup alone at home. I feel that when I watch it alone, I can concentrate fully on observing every detail on the field and the pitch, which I really enjoy.

Do you eat or drink anything while watching the game?

There are a few scenarios. If we're going to watch the game live with friends, we'll usually choose pizza and beer—it's the best and safest combination. If we're watching elsewhere, we might have BBQ with friends, which would create a lively atmosphere. If we're watching alone, a simple burger and fries will do.

Last night you had barbecue in Chengdu and watched the World Cup final with GALA SPORTS players. What are the differences between your experience in China this time and before?

I spent about a year in total, before that I coached Jiangsu Suning under coach Fabio Capello. After that, I returned to China many times to participate in various events, both large and small. I know China very well and love it here. The warmth, hospitality, and generosity of the Chinese people left a very deep impression on me. Especially the food; everything in every province and city is delicious. Being able to return to China again and meet my fans and friends in person is still very exciting. Thank you all so much for your support.

You just mentioned your experience coaching Jiangsu Suning. What was that year like?

It was a wonderful experience for me. China has been developing rapidly over the years, and there was a lot of investment in football at that time. Working with such a great coach as Capello, and being part of his team, was an excellent opportunity for me. Suning later acquired Inter Milan, which is definitely a very large platform, so this period was unparalleled. I also really like the city of Nanjing and its fans.

Which Chinese player left the deepest impression on you?

At that time, Jiangsu Suning and the entire Chinese Super League were all very strong. Jiangsu invested heavily in the team, bringing in many excellent foreign players, and their Chinese players were also outstanding. If I remember correctly, there was a Chinese national team player named Wu Xi, whose ability was exceptional.

After retiring, you worked as a coach for a professional team for a period of time. Why didn't you continue down that path?

Being a coach is a very demanding role, requiring a high level of experience and skill. You need to be dedicated to it 24/7; there's no time to stop. Currently, I work in the technical department of the Italian Football Federation, so I'm involved behind the scenes in many aspects of Serie A and Italian football. Whether it's coaching or any other role, I've never stopped being involved in football.

Of all the coaches you've worked with, which one has been the most helpful to you?

All the coaches I've worked with have been incredibly important and professional, but if I had to choose one, it would definitely be Lippi. During my time at Juventus, under Lippi's guidance, I changed my role on the field, transitioning to full-back. This was a crucial shift in my career, allowing me to play a significant role in the 2006 World Cup. It was also under his leadership that we won the World Cup.

How significant is the 2006 World Cup title to you?

Winning the World Cup in 2006 was a landmark victory for me personally, for my teammates, and for Italy as a whole. I felt incredibly fortunate to be a part of it, to lift the trophy with my teammates. It's a truly beautiful and unforgettable memory. Even today, whenever I see footage or videos related to the 2006 World Cup, I'm still deeply moved.

Which player on that team's roster are you closest to?

Many of my teammates back then were from Juventus. We had great chemistry on the field, including Camoranesi, Buffon, Del Piero, and Cannavaro. As for life today, our team from the 2006 World Cup has its own chat group, where we all send messages. It's a real shame that because we're all scattered around the world, it's difficult to get together again.

In your chat group, who talks the most?

We don't usually chat much, but if someone has a birthday, or their team wins a championship, or there are other important moments, we'll send our blessings in the chat. If we're talking about who sends the most messages, it's definitely our captain, Fabio Cannavaro.

You've joined Gala Sports' game roster as a legendary player, alongside your former teammates Pirlo and Materazzi. If you could recommend another former championship-winning teammate, which player would you choose?

This is such a difficult choice. First and foremost, it has to be our captain, Cannavaro. Buffon and Totti's abilities are beyond question, and Gattuso is certainly another option. Each of them has the skill and influence to be a part of the game.

Zambrotta and his teammates participated in the veterans' tournament.

There were previous media reports that you would join the Italian national team as Gattuso's assistant coach. Is this true?

This is completely fake news; it's just Italian media spreading rumors.

Italy has failed to qualify for the World Cup for three consecutive editions. What do you think is the problem?

It's difficult to analyze the problems in such a short time; we always seem to fall short at the last minute, which is very regrettable. However, the Italian Football Federation is currently undergoing a presidential transition, with my teammate Maldini joining the team. I personally have high hopes for the future, and I believe Italy still has a strong potential to qualify for the 2030 World Cup. (Author's note: Maldini had not yet resigned from his position at the Football Federation at the time of the interview.)

You've played many positions throughout your career. In Best Club, where would you like players to place you?

Personally, I play right-back more often because Grosso is on the left. In a football game, I hope players will put me in a more attacking position, because I don't score many goals when I'm actually playing, and I hope to score more in the game.

If you were to play Best Club yourself, would you place yourself in the center forward position?

Center forward might be too difficult; I'd be better suited to playing winger.

What if you perform better than Inzaghi?

Haha, that's still very difficult. Everyone has their own area of expertise.

Thank you for reading! Now, let's give our knowledgeable fans a treat! We will be randomly selecting one lucky fan from the comments section to receive a fantastic prize: an Italian national team jersey autographed by Zambrotta!

Event period : Until 12:00 PM on August 3, 2026

How to participate : Leave your story with Zambrotta in the comments section.

How to claim your prize : Dongqiudi will announce the list of winners on August 4th. Winners should check their private messages on the platform.

The final interpretation of this event rests with Dongqiudi.