FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup is the most prestigious football prize today. It is worth a whopping $20 million. The cup is 36.8 cm high and weighs more than 6 kg. It is made of 18-carat gold and is decorated with 2 malachite belts. The trophy was designed by Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga in 1974. The cup depicts two human figures holding the earth on top of their heads. Nowadays, this is the most valuable prize not only in football but also among all existing sports awards.
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, or the FA Cup, is the world’s oldest football competition. It also has one of the most valuable prizes. Weighing 6.3 kg, the 61.5 cm high trophy is made of 925 sterling silver. It is designed in a shape of a leg vase. Handcrafted in 2014, the current cup produced by Thomas Lyte is a version of the iconic sterling silver cup, designed in 1911. It is worth an impressive €1 million. In 2022, Liverpool won their first FA Cup in 16 years.
Ballon d'Or
The Ballon d'Or is one of the most highly-priced annual football awards presented by French news magazine France Football. The trophy, handcrafted by the Mellerio dits Meller jewelry house, was first introduced in 1956. Weighing 12 kg, the 28 cm high gold-plated prize with an engraved logo is worth as much as €508,000. This year, Karim Benzema, the Real Madrid captain and forward of the French national team (in the picture) received the top award. Argentinian Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d'Or a record seven times.
Africa Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations, the main competition in Africa, has been held since 1957. Throughout the history of the contest, the trophy was thrice redesigned. The current one is a gilded figurine with the earth on its top, surrounded by soccer balls. The price of the cup, made by Italian designers, is €127,000. Currently, the original award is held by the Egyptian team. It received the prize in 2010 after winning the tournament three times. Other winners get a copy of the trophy.
Coppa Italia
The Italian Serie A championship trophy was designed in 1960 by famous sculptor Ettore Calvelli. It depicts a golden bowl standing on the base made of royal blue sodalite. Its main feature is a golden ring with athletic engravings. Its height is 58 cm, and its weight equals 8 kg. The price of the cup is estimated to be around €60,000. AC Milan won the current prize after clinching their first Italian Serie A title in 11 years.
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