Despite not qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar, Italy’s name is associated with the history of making the World Cup trophy. An Italian family has been making World Cup trophies for the past 50 years.
The gold-wrapped World Cup trophy has finally arrived in Qatar ahead of kick-off on November 20 this month. 32 countries participating in the World Cup and finally the trophy in Qatar.
The World Cup trophy is made of 18 carat solid gold, 14 inches tall and weighs 13 pounds. It is impossible to find a footballer who has not dreamed of lifting the trophy. It depicts two human figures holding aloft a globe, which is the design of the current World Cup trophy. Although it cost around $50,000 to make, it is currently worth around $20 million!
The first World Cup trophy was named the ‘Jules Rime Trophy’ in 1946 in honor of Jules Rime, the third president of FIFA, who was the mastermind behind organizing the first World Cup. It lasted until 1970.
In 1970, after Brazil won the World Cup for the third time, the trophy was given to them outright. Then in 1971, Italian artist Silvio Gazzaniga of Milan designed the new World Cup trophy.
53 sculptors from 7 countries of the world submitted designs for the World Cup trophy to FIFA, of which Gazzaniga’s design was finally selected. Since then it has been called the ‘FIFA World Cup Trophy’.
In a 2002 interview with the AP, Gazzaniga said, “I designed this trophy as an award for valor.” But not by thinking of any superhuman heroism. This is no ordinary cup.
Silvio Gazzaniga died in November 2016 at the age of 95. After his death, his son Giorgio Gazzaniga told the AP news agency that it was while designing the World Cup trophy that his father realized that many people would not understand his design, so he took a plaster model with him.
According to Giorgio, the organizers knew as soon as they saw the design that it would be a very photogenic design. It is easy to handle and looks aesthetically pleasing after handling. But FIFA stipulated to the contest that the winner would not retain ownership of his work. So Silvio Gazzaniga made no direct profit from designing the World Cup trophy.
Giorgio said that after being recognized as the designer of the World Cup trophy, he designed many more trophies, that was the gain. Silvio Gazzaniga has designed many international trophies including UEFA Cup, European Super Cup. But ultimately, he will be famous for the World Cup trophy.
Even after 50 years, the responsibility of making the World Cup trophy rests on the shoulders of the Gazzaniga family. Source: Al-Jazeera
