Every footballer in this world dreams of lifting the prestigious World Cup trophy at least once in their entire career. And why not? Without a shade of doubt, the 18-carat gold sculpture is the ultimate prize in the sport.
With the Les Bleus defeating a valiant Croatian side in the final, this time it was the French, who got their hands on the trophy. However, do you know how the FIFA World Cup trophy made its way into the ground? Worry not, we will tell you how!
Before the trophy was carried into the ground by former German skipper Phillip Lahm, who had earned it four years ago, it was kept under lock-and-key in a customised and exclusive Louis Vuitton case.
Popular French brand, Louis Vuitton was given the responsibility of creating a special carrying case for the trophy and it was handmade at the company’s famous Asnières workshop in France.
The Louis Vuitton case has a laser-engraved Monogram Titanium composition, and is lightweight but hardbearing.
The eight corner of the trunk are protected with the brand’s signature natural cowhide leather, and the lock and its six clasps are composed of ruthenium, a strong dark-grey metal.
Made of 18 carat gold with a malachite base, the trophy stands 36.8 centimetres high, weighs 6.1 kilograms and costs a whopping $15 million. The FIFA World Cup Trophy was introduced in the year of 1974. The original Jules Rimet Trophy was stolen in 1983 and never recovered.
According to reports, this was the third time the iconic trophy was carried in a custom trunk. It was also guarded by two security guards as it made its way into the pitch.
This was how the trophy was brought to the Luzhniki Stadium:
The Trophy has arrived at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium… #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/2ubabJaBFy
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 15, 2018
Wow. This surely blew your mind, didn’t it?