FIFA World Cup: Why Are There Two Different Trophies?
Image credit, AFP via Getty Images
Many legendary players have lifted the World Cup trophy with their own hands. Yet, there is often little discussion about the trophy itself or the fact that there are two distinct versions of it.
More than 50 years have passed since the original World Cup trophy was replaced by the current design.
Why was it necessary to have two different designs for one of the most prestigious trophies in sports?
The Original ‘Jules Rimet Trophy’
Image credit, Getty Images
FIFA introduced the first trophy at the inaugural World Cup tournament in 1930. The competition was under the leadership of Jules Rimet, after whom the trophy was later named in honor.
Rimet served as FIFA president from 1921 to 1954, the longest tenure so far.
Designed by French sculptor Abel Lafleur, the trophy features the figure of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, holding a cup aloft as per mythology.
It was made of “sterling silver” with slight copper alloy and coated with gold plating. The base was adorned with a precious blue stone called “lapis lazuli.”
During World War II, FIFA official Ottorino Barassi hid the trophy under his bed inside a shoe to protect it from Nazi forces. Barassi was Italian.
In 1966, just months before the World Cup kicked off in England, the trophy was stolen from a public display location.
It was famously recovered by a dog named Pickles who found it hidden beneath bushes in a South London garden, wrapped in newspaper.
After Brazil won the World Cup for the third time consecutively in 1970, the Jules Rimet Trophy was awarded to them as permanent property.
However, the trophy was stolen again in 1983 from the Brazilian Football Confederation headquarters and was never recovered, presumably melted down. By then, FIFA had already commissioned a new World Cup trophy.
The Modern World Cup Trophy
Image credit, Getty Images
The modern World Cup trophy was created by Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga, who also designed the UEFA Europa League trophy.
The trophy stands 36 centimeters tall and is made of 18-carat gold.
The design depicts two human figures lifting the Earth upward. According to FIFA, this symbolizes the “universal unity and spirit of football.”
West Germany was the first team to lift this new trophy when they won the World Cup in 1974.
After the original trophy was lost, FIFA decided that no team would receive permanent ownership of the trophy.
The winning team can hold the trophy during a special ceremony immediately after the final match, but later they receive a gold-plated replica to keep as a memento.
Our YouTube channel is also available. To subscribe and watch videos, click here. You can also find our content on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Additionally, our radio program can be heard every evening at 8:45 PM from Monday to Friday.