Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga designed the current FIFA World Cup trophy in Milan to capture the essence of athletic victory [1].
The trophy serves as the ultimate symbol of global soccer, embodying the emotional journey of the sport from the struggle of the athlete to the joy of the crowd.
Designed in Milan, Italy, the sculpture features a spiralling form [1]. Gazzaniga intended the design to represent three core sporting emotions: the struggle of the athlete, the jubilation of the fans, and the specific moment of victory [1, 2].
The creation of the new trophy became necessary after the original prize, the Jules Rimet trophy, was stolen twice [1, 2]. Because the Jules Rimet trophy was never recovered, FIFA required a permanent replacement to maintain the prestige of the tournament.
The Gazzaniga trophy made its debut at the 1974 FIFA World Cup, which saw West Germany emerge as the victors [3]. Since that first appearance, the trophy has been used for 14 World Cups [3].
The design remains an icon of the sport due to its dynamic movement. By replacing a traditional cup shape with a more abstract, ascending form, Gazzaniga shifted the visual language of the tournament's highest honor.
“The design captures the athlete’s struggle, the fan’s jubilation, and the moment of victory.”
The transition from the Jules Rimet trophy to Gazzaniga's design reflects a shift in how sports achievements are visualized, moving from a traditional chalice to a modern artistic representation of movement and emotion. Its longevity over 14 tournaments has cemented the spiralling form as the definitive image of soccer success.
