World Cup Trophy History and Design: The Legendary Story and Production Details of the Hercules Cup

Introduction

The World Cup trophy is a symbol of the highest honor in the football world, representing the glory of the national team reaching the top in the quadrennial global event. Since the first World Cup in 1930, the trophy has undergone a transformation from the Jules Rimet Cup to the Hercules Cup, and its design, materials, and storage methods all contain rich stories. This article will comprehensively introduce the origin, design details, production process, and common problems of the World Cup trophy, helping you gain a deeper understanding of this football artifact.
catalogue
-The Evolution History of the World Cup Trophy
-Design and Material of the Hercules Cup
-Production and maintenance of trophies
-Trophy ownership and replication rules
-Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Evolution History of the World Cup Trophy
Two trophies have been used in the history of the World Cup: the Jules Rimet Trophy and the FIFA World Cup Trophy. The Jules Rimet Cup was originally named the "Victory Cup" and was renamed after Jules Rimet, the President of FIFA, in 1946. The trophy was designed by French sculptor Abel Lafleur and features Nike, the goddess of victory in Greek mythology, holding an octagonal cup made of gold-plated silver with a base made of lapis lazuli. The Jules Rimet Cup was permanently retained by the Brazilian team in 1970, as Brazil became the first team to win the championship three times. Unfortunately, the Jules Rimet Cup was stolen in Brazil in 1983 and has not been retrieved to this day. It is speculated that it has been melted down.

The World Cup is produced and maintained by Bertoni, a company based in Milan, Italy. Each trophy is precision cast, then hand polished, polished, and gold-plated. As the trophy is made of pure gold, it needs to be cleaned and inspected regularly to prevent oxidation or damage. After each World Cup final, the trophy will be directly handed over to the captain of the champion team by the FIFA representative, but the trophy will be returned to FIFA immediately after the award ceremony, and the champion can only receive a gold-plated replica.
The replica is almost identical in appearance to the original, but made of gold-plated copper and slightly lighter in weight. Champion teams can permanently retain replicas and display them in club museums or national team bases. FIFA also stipulates that no one is allowed to touch or kiss genuine trophies, and only during award ceremonies can champion players and coaches have brief contact.
Trophy ownership and replication rules
The ownership of the World Cup trophy always belongs to FIFA. Each champion will receive a genuine trophy during the award ceremony, but it must be returned after the award ceremony. FIFA will present a 1:1 gold-plated copper replica to the champion as a permanent commemoration. In addition, each champion player and coach will also receive a small replica trophy that can be kept as a personal collection.
It is worth noting that although the Brazilian team permanently retained the Jules Rimet Cup in 1970, there is no possibility of a permanent retention of the Hercules Cup. FIFA stipulates that rule changes will only be considered in extreme circumstances (such as winning three consecutive championships), but they have not yet been implemented.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is the World Cup trophy made of pure gold?
Answer: The main body of the Hercules Cup is made of 18K gold, with a gold content of about 75%, and the base is made of malachite. The Remy Cup is made of gold-plated silver, not pure gold.
Q: Can the World Cup trophy be permanently retained?
Answer: The Hercules Cup cannot be permanently retained, and the champion can only receive a replica. The Jules Rimet Cup was permanently held due to Brazil's three championships, but it was later stolen.
Q: How many champion names are engraved on the World Cup trophy?
Answer: The base only reserved space for 17 champion names, and currently 12 have been used (from 1974 to 2022)
Q: Has the World Cup trophy ever been stolen?
Answer: Yes, the Jules Rimet Cup was stolen before the 1966 World Cup in England and was later found by a dog named Pickles. In 1983, the Jules Rimet Cup was stolen again in Brazil and has not been retrieved to this day.
Q: Can players touch genuine trophies?
Answer: Only at the award ceremony can champion team players and coaches briefly touch the genuine product. At other times, the trophy is kept by FIFA and must not be touched.
Conclusion
The World Cup trophy is not only a golden cup, but also a witness to the history of football. From the loss of the Jules Rimet Cup to the eternity of the World Cup, every trophy carries the dreams and sweat of countless players. Understanding the design, production, and rules of trophies can help fans gain a deeper understanding of the nobility and charm of this sport.