Italian Sculptor Designed Iconic World Cup Trophy

The iconic FIFA World Cup trophy, a symbol of global football supremacy, was designed in 1970 by Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga. Gazzaniga, a native of Milan, was commissioned by FIFA to create a new trophy after the original Jules Rimet trophy was permanently awarded to Brazil following their third World Cup victory in 1970. Gazzaniga's design, standing 36.8 centimeters tall and weighing 6.175 kilograms, features two human figures holding up the Earth. The trophy is crafted from 18-karat gold and features a base of malachite. Gazzaniga's vision was to represent the joy and exultation of victory, with the figures appearing to embrace the planet. His design was selected from 53 submissions by artists from seven countries. The trophy has since been presented to every World Cup-winning nation, becoming one of the most recognizable and coveted awards in all of sports. The design has remained unchanged since its inception, maintaining its status as a timeless emblem of athletic achievement in international football. Gazzaniga, who passed away in 2016 at the age of 93, also designed other notable sporting awards, including the UEFA Cup trophy.