Jules Rimet Trophy The Story of the Lost Golden World Cup

The story of the original FIFA World Cup Trophy, from its birth in 1930 to the day it vanished forever


Imagine a golden trophy that survived World War II, was hidden under a bed, narrowly escaped the Nazis, was stolen twice, and finally disappeared without a trace — this is the story of the Jules Rimet Trophy, the greatest and most legendary football trophy in history.


Who Was Jules Rimet?
Jules Rimet (1873–1956) was a French lawyer who was passionately in love with football. He served as FIFA President for 33 years, from 1921 to 1954, and was the driving force behind making the FIFA World Cup a reality, despite facing years of opposition from many sides.

His idea was simple but powerful: "Sport can unite humanity, even when politics tears it apart."

The World Cup he founded became the second most-watched sporting event on the planet, behind only the Olympics.


What Did the Trophy Look Like?
The trophy was designed by French sculptor Abel Lafleur. It took the form of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, holding a golden bowl above her head, standing on an octagonal base representing the eight founding nations of FIFA.

Material: Solid 18-carat gold
Height: 35 centimetres
Weight: 3.8 kilograms
Used in: 9 World Cup tournaments (1930–1970)
Originally called simply the "FIFA World Cup Trophy," it was officially renamed the "Jules Rimet Trophy" in 1946 to honour the man who made the World Cup happen.


The Journey of the Golden Cup
1930 — Born in Uruguay
Uruguay hosted and won the very first World Cup, defeating Argentina 4–2 in the final. The trophy was presented for the first time in front of over 68,000 spectators at the Estadio Centenario — the beginning of the greatest show in football.

1938–1950 — Hidden Under a Bed to Escape the Nazis
This is the most extraordinary chapter in the trophy's life.

During World War II, as Nazi forces swept across Europe, Italian FIFA Vice President Ottorino Barassi secretly removed the trophy from a bank vault in Rome and hid it inside a shoebox under his own bed for the entire duration of the war. The trophy barely escaped being looted by Nazi forces who were stripping gold across the continent.

1966 — Stolen in London, Found by a Dog
Just four months before the 1966 World Cup in England, the trophy was stolen from an exhibition at Westminster Central Hall in London. The entire country was in a panic. Police investigated for seven days.

Then a Border Collie named "Pickles" sniffed out the trophy buried under a bush in a back garden in South London. Pickles became a national hero, appeared on the front pages of every newspaper in England, and was officially honoured by the Football Association.

1970 — Brazil Wins It Forever
FIFA rules stated that any nation winning the World Cup three times would keep the trophy permanently. Brazil had won in 1958 and 1962, so when Pelé led them to a third title in Mexico in 1970, they claimed the Jules Rimet Trophy as their own forever. The image of Pelé lifting the cup at the Azteca Stadium became one of the most iconic moments in football history.

1983 — Gone Forever
This is the saddest ending of all.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced that the trophy had been stolen from a display cabinet at their offices in Rio de Janeiro. This time, there was no Pickles to help. No one ever found it again.

Most investigators and experts believe the trophy was melted down and sold as gold, worth approximately $50,000 at the time. But some still believe it is hidden somewhere in Brazil, waiting to be discovered. The mystery has never been solved.


Current Trophy vs Jules Rimet
After the Jules Rimet Trophy disappeared, FIFA commissioned a new trophy in 1974, designed by Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga. Made from 18-carat gold, standing 36 cm tall and weighing 6.175 kg, it depicts two human figures lifting up the Earth — the trophy the world sees today.

One important difference: today's winning team does not receive the real trophy. They receive only a gold-plated replica to keep. The original stays with FIFA at all times — unlike the Jules Rimet Trophy, which was truly given away to its champions forever.


Final Thought
The Jules Rimet Trophy was never just a prize. It was a symbol of football's earliest era — proof that the most treasured things always carry the most extraordinary stories. From hiding in a shoebox during wartime, to being sniffed out by a dog, to vanishing without a trace in 1983.

A golden cup weighing 3.8 kilograms left a mark on history far heavier than its weight.