The World Cup Trophy: From Jules Rimet to the Golden Globe We Know Today
Every four years, the winning captain lifts a solid gold trophy weighing 13.6 pounds. But the trophy we see today isn't the original. The World Cup trophy has a history that includes theft, a dog named Pickles, and a redesign that created one of the most recognizable objects on Earth.
The Jules Rimet Trophy (1930-1970)
The original World Cup trophy was designed by French sculptor Abel Lafleur in 1929. Named after FIFA president Jules Rimet, it depicted Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, holding an octagonal cup above her head. The trophy stood 13.8 inches tall and was made of gold-plated sterling silver on a blue lapis lazuli base.
During World War II, the Italian FIFA vice-president Ottorino Barassi hid the trophy under his bed in a shoe box to prevent Nazi soldiers from seizing it. For six years, one of the most valuable objects in sport sat in a shoe box in Rome. Barassi never told anyone where it was.
Stolen and Found by a Dog
In 1966, four months before the World Cup in England, the Jules Rimet trophy was stolen while on public display at an exhibition in Westminster. The Football Association was mortified. Scotland Yard launched a massive investigation.
Seven days later, a mixed-breed collie named Pickles found the trophy wrapped in newspaper under a hedge in South London. Pickles became a national hero — he was invited to the celebration banquet and given a year's supply of dog food. His owner, David Corbett, received a £6,000 reward (more than a year's average salary at the time).
Brazil Gets to Keep It — Then It Gets Stolen Again
FIFA had ruled that the first nation to win three World Cups would keep the Jules Rimet trophy permanently. Brazil won in 1958, 1962, and 1970, so they took it home to Rio de Janeiro. It was displayed at the Brazilian Football Confederation headquarters behind bulletproof glass.
In 1983, it was stolen again. This time, Pickles wasn't around to save it. The trophy was never recovered. Police believe it was melted down and sold as gold. The thieves were eventually caught, but the trophy was gone forever. Brazil now displays a replica.
The Current Trophy (1974-Present)
After Brazil permanently claimed the Jules Rimet trophy, FIFA needed a replacement. Italian designer Silvio Gazzaniga created the trophy we know today, unveiled in 1974. It depicts two human figures holding up the Earth and is made of 18-karat gold, standing 14.4 inches tall.
Unlike its predecessor, this trophy is never given away permanently. The winning nation receives a gold-plated bronze replica. The real trophy stays with FIFA. Between tournaments, it's kept in a vault in Zurich, only brought out for the final.
The Trophy's Value
The raw gold in the current trophy is worth roughly $180,000. But its cultural and historical value is immeasurable. It's been touched by Pelé, Maradona, Zidane, and Messi. In 2026, someone new will lift it. The trophy's story will gain another chapter — and the golden globe will continue to be the most coveted prize in sport.