The curtains of the 2022 Qatar World Cup were brought down on Sunday as Leonel Messi led Argentina to their third global glory after bagging the prestigious accolade in 1978 and 1986.
However, the winners of each edition of the World Cup do not receive the original trophy but are allowed to keep a bronze replica of the trophy.
The Original trophy is kept at the FIFA World Football Museum in Zurich, Switzerland but it tours the world for ceremonies and appearances at draws and official events.
The bronze replica is at least gold-plated, despite not being solid gold.
According to Eurosport, the World Cup trophy is described as ‘solid’ gold. It is 36.5 cm tall and is made of 6.175kg or 30,875 Carats of 18 karat (75%) gold.
It has a base of 13 cm in diameter which features two strips of malachite.
The amount of gold that makes up most of the World Cup trophy was valued at approximately USD 161, 000 (£131,800) in 2018, but the trophy as a whole has been valued at USD 20 million (£16.4 million).
This estimate makes the FIFA World Cup Trophy by far the most expensive sporting trophy.
The World Cup trophy has also been stolen twice.
The Jules Rimet Trophy which was used between 1930-1970, was stolen in 1966 prior to that year’s edition in England.
The trophy was later recovered by a dog named Pickles who was later commended and gained a cult following for his heroism. One man was convicted for being involved but other possible culprits are still unknown.
In 1970, Brazil received the Jules Rimet Trophy in perpetuity after winning the World Cup for the third time, but in 1983 the trophy was again stolen, never to be found.
The current trophy produced by Italian trophy manufacturer, GDE Bertoni.
