For decades the world’s most coveted prize in football has been embodied by a single, gleaming object that rises from the earth toward the heavens. Crafted by Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga, the trophy stands as a testament to athletic ambition, artistic vision, and the unifying power of sport.
The Artistry Behind the Globe
Gazzaniga’s design features two muscular figures thrusting upward, their bodies intertwined as they reach for a spherical globe. The composition captures the moment of triumph, the struggle of competition, and the celebration that follows. Gold, polished to a mirror sheen, reflects the light of stadiums across continents, while a ring of green malachite encircles the base, evoking the emerald fields where the game is played.
The trophy’s creation came after Brazil’s historic third victory in 1970, which entitled the nation to keep the original Jules Rimet Trophy permanently. FIFA launched a competition for a new emblem, and Gazzaniga’s three‑dimensional model was the sole submission that met the governing body’s exacting standards.
Born in 1921 in Milan, Gazzaniga studied at the Accademia di Brera before establishing a studio that would later produce iconic works for European football’s governing bodies. In addition to the World Cup trophy, his portfolio includes the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Super Cup, cementing his legacy as the sculptor who shaped modern football’s visual identity.
The original Jules Rimet Trophy, a simple yet elegant piece of silver, enjoyed a turbulent fate. In 1966 it vanished from a London exhibition, only to be recovered by a stray dog named Pickles. A decade later, in 1983, the trophy was stolen from a museum in Rio de Janeiro and never recovered, leaving a void that Gazzaniga’s masterpiece filled.
Today the golden trophy resides at FIFA’s headquarters in Switzerland, returning to the Swiss capital after each tournament to be inspected, polished, and prepared for the next champion. Its presence there serves as a reminder of the tournament’s global reach and the unbroken chain of stories that bind each winner to the next.
Beyond its physical form, the trophy symbolizes the aspirations of every nation that steps onto the world stage. It is a beacon that draws together diverse cultures, languages, and histories under the common language of sport. For Gazzaniga’s family, the original sketches and prototype remain treasured artifacts, preserving the creative spark that birthed a lasting emblem of excellence.