From Threads to Gold: Icons of World Cup History

The Jules Rimet Trophy Returns to the Americas

The Jules Rimet Trophy, represented by a replica, returns to the continent where its story first began through Objects of Glory: Iconic Moments in the History of Football at Museo Jumex in Mexico City. There, visitors are taken back to the beginning in 1930, when then-FIFA President Jules Rimet of France presented the host nation, Uruguay, with the title of the first FIFA World Cup.

Originally called “Victory” the trophy was later renamed the Jules Rimet in honour of the man whose vision helped launch the world’s most popular tournament.

Designed by French sculptor Abel Lafleur, the trophy depicts Nike, the ancient Greek goddess of victory, holding a cup aloft. Made of gold-plated sterling silver and set on a lapis lazuli stone base, it quickly became one of the most distinctive and symbolic prizes in world sport.

During the Second World War, Italian football official Ottorino Barassi hid the Jules Rimet Trophy in a shoebox under his bed in Rome to keep it from falling into the hands of Nazi forces. Years later, just months before the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England, the trophy was stolen while on display at a public exhibition, only to be found by a dog, wrapped in newspaper beneath a hedge in South London.

After winning the World Cup for the third time in 1970, Brazil became the permanent owner of the Jules Rimet Trophy. FIFA then introduced a new trophy for the 1974 tournament, designed by Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga, which remains the trophy awarded to the champions today.

Yet the Jules Rimet Trophy did not escape one final chapter in its story. In 1983, it was stolen from the headquarters of the Brazilian Football Confederation in Rio de Janeiro and has never been recovered. It is widely believed to have melted down after the theft.

A Legendary Jersey

Among the most exceptional objects in Objects of Glory: Iconic Moments in the History of Football is the jersey worn by the late legend Diego Maradona during Argentina’s quarterfinal match against England at the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico. The match witnessed the goal that became known as the “Hand of God,” followed only minutes later by the goal FIFA would later name the “Goal of the Century.”

Through QOSM, this number 10 jersey returns to Mexico City 40 years after that historic match at Estadio Azteca, which produced one of the most controversial moments in World Cup history. Maradona opened the scoring for Argentina with a touch of the hand that went unseen by Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser, despite protests from England’s players.

Just four minutes later, Maradona set off from midfield, dribbling past every player in his path before scoring an extraordinary goal that remains etched in World Cup history. Argentina won the match 2–1, and Maradona later said his first goal was scored “a little with his head, and a little with the hand of God.” Years later, his second goal was named the “Goal of the Century.”

The famous blue jersey, designed by French sportswear giant Le Coq Sportif, passed to England player Steve Hodge after the match, when he and Maradona exchanged shirts. It remained in Hodge’s possession until it was offered at auction in 2022, becoming the most expensive piece of sports memorabilia ever sold at auction at the time.

Today, visitors can experience the traveling exhibitions Objects of Glory: Iconic Moments in the History of Football and Qatar 2022 Legacy: Journeys to Greatness to see the Jules Rimet Trophy and Maradona’s jersey up close, alongside other objects connected to the legacy of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ and a wide range of pieces that carry stories of achievement and transformation across generations.