The Story of the Coveted World Cup Trophy: Original Stolen and Never Recovered
This article from BILD Sport explores the history of the FIFA World Cup trophy, highlighting that the original Jules Rimet trophy was stolen in 1983 from the Brazilian Football Confederation headquarters in Rio de Janeiro and never recovered, with police believing it was melted down. It recounts earlier incidents, including a Nazi theft attempt during WWII thwarted by an Italian official hiding it in a shoebox, and a 1966 theft in London where a dog named Pickles found the cup under a hedge. The current trophy, designed by Silvio Gazzaniga and used since 1974, is made of 18-carat gold, weighs 6.142 kg, and costs about 962,000 euros today. Since 2006, winning nations receive only a gilded replica, with the real trophy kept permanently at FIFA headquarters in Zurich. The article also notes the upcoming 2026 final where either Lionel Messi or Rodri will lift the trophy.
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