In the shadow of a legend: how a Milanese sculptor created the world's main football trophy (5 photos)

Every four years, millions of fans around the world hold their breath as the World Cup champions lift the golden trophy above their heads. However, the creator of this iconic symbol remains virtually unknown to the general public. The modern World Cup was born in 1970, when the Brazilian national team permanently claimed the previous trophy, the "Golden Goddess." A FIFA competition attracted 53 entries from around the world, but the winning entry was Milanese sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga.

The artist captured in gold the image of two athletes holding the globe in a single movement – ​​a gesture embodying absolute triumph, team unity, and the grandeur of sporting victory. This new article explores the full story of the legendary trophy's creation, the mysteries surrounding why the original cup is forever locked away in the FIFA Museum, and the reasons why its brilliant creator has been unfairly overshadowed by his own masterpiece.