Following Cricket Exchange pays tribute to Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga, the designer of the iconic FIFA World Cup Trophy, who passed away peacefully in his sleep at his Milan home on October 31 at the age of 95. According to his son, Gazzaniga had been in poor health recently, but his departure was calm and quiet.

Originally, the trophy awarded to the World Cup winners was the Jules Rimet Trophy. However, after Brazil’s third historic victory in 1970, FIFA awarded the Jules Rimet Trophy permanently to the Brazilian team. As a result, FIFA commissioned a new design in 1971, entrusting the task to Gazzaniga. His creation, known globally today as the World Cup Trophy, has been in use ever since. FIFA president Gianni Infantino remarked, “For every football player and fan around the world, the World Cup Trophy is a symbol of greatness. We are deeply grateful and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family.”

Cricket Exchange highlights that the trophy is made of 18-karat gold and weighs approximately six kilograms. It features two athletes holding up the Earth in a celebratory gesture, symbolizing unity and triumph. Gazzaniga once described his vision behind the design, saying, “I wanted to celebrate heroism—not in a superhero sense, but in a way that reflects human spirit and effort. This was never meant to be a traditional trophy.” Though FIFA’s policies prevented him from claiming intellectual property rights or earning royalties from his work, Gazzaniga’s legacy lives on. He is affectionately remembered as the “father of the World Cup Trophy.”

Cricket Exchange also notes the global respect Gazzaniga earned across generations. Brazilian football legend Cafu, captain of the 2002 World Cup-winning squad, paid tribute on social media, saying, “Today I honor Gazzaniga. His trophy gave us the proudest moments in the history of sport. May he rest in peace.”