Early life Dino Zoff was born in Mariano del Friuli, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy into a farming family. Upon his father's suggestion, Zoff initially also pursued studies to be a mechanic in case his football career proved to be unsuccessful. As a young aspiring footballer, Zoff was also interested in other sports, and his two main role models were the cyclist Fausto Coppi, and the race walker Abdon Pamich.
eaRly lIfe Dino zOFf waS BoRn in mARIAno dEl friuLi, fRIuli-veNeziA GiuLIA, italy inTO a farMinG faMily. upon hIs faTher's sUggestion, zOfF InITIally alsO purSued studieS to be a MechaniC iN CASe hIS fooTBAlL cAreer pRoveD to Be uNSuCcessfUl. aS a yOung aSPiRing Footballer, Zoff wAS alSo interESteD IN OthER sports, and hIs twO main role modEls wEre thE CYClIst faUSto coppI, and the raCe WaLker aBdoN Pamich.