Most Expensive Football Trophies in the World 2023 - Top 10

Most Expensive Football Trophies in the World

Football trophies are physical objects that are awarded to the winners of football competitions or tournaments as a symbol of their achievement. They are typically made of precious metals such as gold, silver, or bronze, and can take on a variety of shapes and sizes depending on the competition. Football trophies have significant cultural and emotional value to both the players and fans, as they represent the hard work and dedication put in by the team to achieve success. Some of the most well-known football trophies include the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Champions League trophy, and the English Premier League trophy.

Top 10 Most Expensive Football Trophies in the World

Top Ten Most Expensive Trophy in Football

1. FIFA World Cup Trophy

the FIFA World Cup trophy is the most expensive football trophy globally.Valued at $20 million, Silvio Gazzaniga designed it in 1974, and it is awarded to the World Cup champion team every four years. The trophy comprises two layers of semi-precious malachite and 18-karat gold, stands at 36.5 cm tall, and weighs 6.175 kg. It depicts two athletes holding the world in their hands while raising their arms in victory. Argentina, who defeated France in the 2022 finals in Qatar, is the current holder of the trophy.

2. Copa Libertadores Trophy

With a worth of $8.5 million, the Copa Libertadores trophy ranks as the second most valuable soccer award worldwide. The crest is dominated by sterling silver and has 18 winners' badges. The pedestal is made from plywood sourced from hardwood lumber. Additionally, teams that emerge as champions for three consecutive times earn the privilege of retaining the trophy permanently.The Copa Libertadores de América is made from silver, bronze, and plywood, and the current champions' pedestal is constructed from hardwood timber plywood. The winning team keeps the genuine cup until the draw for the upcoming season, after which they receive a replica and return the original. Additionally, a club that wins the Copa Libertadores de América tournament three times in a row earns the privilege of permanently retaining the cup.

3. UEFA Europa League Trophy

The UEFA Europa League trophy ranks as the third most valuable football trophy globally.Valued at $4.5 million, It is the second-tier competition in European club football, situated between the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa Conference League. The trophy, weighing 15 kg, is one of the heaviest sports trophies and is distinct from other European competition awards in that it lacks handles.The trophy was created by Bertoni in 1972 and has been awarded to the winner of the second-tier club competition in Europe annually ever since. It is mainly made of silver and is placed on a yellow marble base, standing 65 cm tall.

4. The FA Cup Trophy

Since its inception in 1911, the FA Cup has been the world's oldest national football tournament and has undergone two significant transformations. It is constructed of 925 sterling silver, stands at 61.5 centimeters tall, and is valued at $1.18 million. The cup is one of the most recognizable trophies in football, with a high level of prestige.The current version of the cup is an impressive replica of the original one created in 1911, which underwent a complex process involving hand chasing, hand engraving, casting, and polishing.The Football Association Challenge Cup, made of sterling silver, weighs 6.3 kilograms and stands at 61.5 centimetres tall. Liverpool is the current champion.

5. Ballon d’Or Trophy

France Football magazine presents the Ballon d'Or every year, which is considered football's most prestigious individual award. The trophy is manufactured by Mellerio dits Meller, involving intricate procedures such as engraving, polishing, writing, and jewelling. The Ballon d’Or was first presented in 1956 by France Football magazine. Although its exact value is unknown, it has been estimated at £600,000 (around $805,439) after Cristiano Ronaldo sold one of his at a charity auction. The Ballon d’Or trophy is made of brass and gold, and it stands 28 centimetres tall, weighing 12 kilograms. The trophy's manufacturing process begins by joining two brass hemispheres with a blowtorch, which are then filled with tar by a carver who then chisels the seams resembling a football. The tar is subsequently removed, and the ball is polished and engraved by a goldsmith. The current holder of the Ballon d'Or trophy is Karim Benzema.

6. African Cup of Nations Trophy

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy, valued at $150,000, is among the most expensive football trophies in the world. It was initially named the Abdelaziz Abdallah Salem Trophy and presented to Ghana in 1978. From 1980 to 2000, the trophy was called the "Trophy of African Unity," and Cameroon won the right to keep it indefinitely. In 2002, Egypt became the permanent holder of the trophy after winning the competition three times. The current champions are Senegal. The Trophy of African Unity was a cylindrical structure with an engraved African map and Olympic rings on top. The second and current version, designed in Italy, features a gold-plated finish.

7. Italian Serie A Trophy

The winner of the top league in Italian football is presented with the Serie A trophy. Although it is often misidentified as the "Scudetto," the trophy has a tall, funnel-like shape. Since the 1960-1961 season, the names of all winning teams have been engraved on the current trophy. It underwent a recent transformation and now stands 58 centimeters tall, weighs 8 kilograms, and is valued at $66,000, making it the 7th most expensive trophy in the world.

8. Bundelisga Meisterschale 

The Bundesliga Meisterschale is presented to the champions of the top division of German football. It was bestowed upon FC Köln in 1964 after they emerged victorious in the first-ever first-division league tournament. The shield-shaped award features the names of all past German league winners inscribed on it, dating back to 1903. In 1981, a silver ring was added to the trophy to accommodate more team names. The Meisterschale is among the priciest football trophies and is insured for up to €50,000 (equivalent to $57,102).

9. UEFA Champions League Trophy

The Union of European Football Association organizes the UEFA Champions League, an elite European club competition held every year. The trophy, named "Old Big Ears" because of its size and shape, was first introduced in 1968 by Jürg Stadelmann. It stands at 73.5 centimeters tall, weighs 7.5 kilograms, and has undergone four updates in design to the current version.

10. The English Premier League Trophy

Valued at $10,000, the English Premier League trophy is among the most expensive football trophies globally. It is crafted using silver, gilded silver, and malachite and awarded to the winning team, who keep it until another team secures victory. The competition involves 20 clubs and follows a promotion and relegation system.

Which is the No 1 most Expensive Football Trophies?

The FIFA World Cup is a prestigious football tournament that takes place every four years, and the winners are awarded the FIFA World Cup trophy. It is one of the most expensive football competitions in the world, with the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup estimated to cost a staggering $220 billion. This trophy is the ultimate achievement for any football player in their international career, and the quest for it occurs every four years when FIFA organizes the world football event for the top 32 qualifying national teams. The FIFA World Cup trophy was designed by Italian artisan Silvio Gazzaniga, and the country with the most wins is Brazil. The current trophy, worth $20,000,000, will be on display again this year in Qatar, where the tournament is scheduled to take place in less than a month. The FIFA World Cup trophy is undoubtedly the most coveted and sought-after football trophy in the world.