The Milan sculptor behind the iconic football trophy that everyone wants to bring home

As we near the end of the World Cup battle of 2026, we wonder if it will be Spain or Argentina that get to take home the glory and lift the famous trophy. Every World Cup-winning captain since 1974 has lifted the same iconic prize. Yet, the story of Silvio Gazzaniga, the Milanese sculptor who created it, and the tale of the design is not commonly known to most people.

Why FIFA needed a fresh design

Under tournament rules in 1970, any nation that won the World Cup three times was allowed to keep the trophy permanently. When Brazil achieved this milestone that year, they walked away with the original Jules Rimet Trophy, leaving FIFA with the sudden mammoth task of designing a brand-new replacement worthy of the global game.

An international design competition attracted 53 entries from artists across 25 countries. Among them was Gazzaniga, an employee at the renowned trophy manufacturer G.D.E. Bertoni. Rather than submitting simple sketches, Gazzaniga took a gamble and produced a three-dimensional plaster model. The tactile submission allowed judges to truly appreciate the fluid movement and symbolism of his vision, securing him the winning bid.

Symbolism in gold

Gazzaniga wanted the trophy to express the emotional peak of sport rather than just raw victory. His design depicts two stylized human figures rising in spirals to support the globe. As he later explained, he wanted to capture the dynamic energy of an athlete’s struggle, the exhilaration of triumph, and the universal joy shared by supporters.

Born in Milan in 1921, Gazzaniga trained at the Brera Academy of Fine Arts before building a distinguished career creating prestigious silverware, including the UEFA Cup and UEFA Super Cup. He passed away in 2016 at the age of 95, leaving behind his iconic work.

The trophy stands 36.5 centimetres tall, weighs 6.175 kilograms, and is forged from solid 18-carat gold. Its base features two bands of green malachite, emulating the pitch, with the underside engraved with the name of every winning nation since 1974.

Who now keeps the original?

One of the footballs misconceptions is that World Cup winners take the golden trophy home forever. In reality, the original masterpiece never leaves FIFA’s possession permanently. The victorious captain lifts the genuine article during the stadium presentation before it is returned to safekeeping.

Instead, the winning nation receives a gold-plated bronze replica to display. This strict protocol was directly influenced by the fate of the original Jules Rimet Trophy. After being permanently awarded to Brazil, it was stolen in Rio de Janeiro in 1983 and never recovered.

Gazzaniga’s design has been untouched in design since its 1974 debut. By now ensuring the original trophy never permanently leaves its possession, FIFA has created a wonderful sporting tradition where every generation of champions lifts the exact same piece of history.