Who can touch the World Cup and where is the original?

Argentina soccer team achieved on Sunday, December 18, its third FIFA World Cupa trophy that had been elusive for 36 years, since Mexico 86.

Lionel Messi’s team was crowned after 120 minutes of play and a series of penalties. After that came a celebration on the playing field, with the delivery of the medals both to the winners and to Francethe selection that was placed in second place.

There was the World Cup _made of 18-karat gold, with a malachite base_, waiting to be lifted by the winning team. Finally it was delivered and all Argentines vibrated at the historic event, but then a curious situation occurred.

Tradition indicates that this cup can only be touched by world champions, by leaders as well as by former world champions.

However, at the award ceremony in Qatar, the coveted trophy was raised by Antonella Roccuzzowife Messi, the ex-footballer Sergio Aguero and even by the famous chef Salt Bae.

The current World Cup weighs 6,175 grams, of which 4,927 are pure gold. Those who could appreciate it and touch it in the lusail stadium you can be sure they raised the original, but the one the champions take home is just a replica.

Until before 2005, the champions could take the trophy to their country and could exhibit it in the showcases of their federation. Then they had to return it to FIFA for the next World Cup.

But after the last restoration that the cup had, in 2005, FIFA decided not to lend the original to the champion team again.

Thus, since the 2006 World Cup, only the winning team is allowed to have the original trophy during the award ceremony. It is then recovered by FIFA officials and returned to their headquarters in Zurich, where it remains safe.

In this way, Italy (2006), Spain (2010), Germany (2014) and France (2018) _just like now Argentina_ only received a cup identical to the original, to take it to their country and celebrate with the fans. (D)