• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
What happened to Lionel Messi's forgotten 'Golden Foot' which has mind-blowing value

Home> Football> Football News

Published 07:00 17 May 2024 GMT+1

What happened to Lionel Messi's forgotten 'Golden Foot' which has mind-blowing value

Lionel Messi had his foot immortalised in a golden cast.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Back in 2013, Argentina legend Lionel Messi had his left foot immortalised in a golden cast worth an eye-watering £3.4 million.

Messi had just won his fourth Ballon d'Or when the cast was taken and the replica was created in early 2013, months after his outrageous 91-goal year.

An employee from Japanese jeweller Ginza Tanaka travelled to Spain for the crucial step in creating the gold model of Messi's wand of a left peg.

Messi took his left shoe and left sock off and placed his foot in containers filled with clay-like substances for the sculpting to take place.

He also signed his autograph for the complete seal of authentication.

Advert

Fascinating footage of the Barcelona and Argentina superstar having the metal cast taken was shared online and showed Messi in good spirits throughout.

It was then taken back to Japan for the magic to take place before it was officially unveiled in Tokyo.

Messi wasn't at the official ceremony but his brother Rodrigo was and marvelled.

"You can see each line on the foot. It's an impressive piece of work," he said, as per ESPN.

Advert

Image
Getty

The foot of solid and 25 carat gold was valued at $5.3 million (£3.4 million), weighing 25kg and totalling 10 inches in height.

A Messi golden footprint also went on sale for $95,000, as well as a $42,000 gold foot half the size of the life-size version.

It went on sale and a good chunk of the funds went to the Leo Messi Foundation, ultimately helping those affected by the tsunami in Japan in March 2011.

Advert

"I’m honoured to have my foot recreated in pure gold," Messi said.

However, incidentally, the 'Golden Foot' award is the prestigious prize which he has never won.

It's been handed for 20 years, with previous winners including Robert Lewandowski, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.

Players have to be have to be over the age of 28 to be in contention and once you've won, you are not eligible again.

Featured Image Credit: Getty/Ginza Tanaka

Topics: Lionel Messi, Argentina, Inter Miami, Football

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

X

@joshlawless_

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

4 hours ago
5 hours ago
6 hours ago
7 hours ago
  • 4 hours ago

    Liverpool forced to take drastic action after wonderkid 'terrorises' first team players in training

    The wonderkid could play a key role in pre-season for Arne Slot's side.

    Football
  • 5 hours ago

    Newcastle stance on Alexander Isak transfer to Liverpool emerges after huge bid submitted for Hugo Ekitike

    Newcastle are in the market for one of Europe's most sought-after strikers.

    Football
  • 6 hours ago

    Cole Palmer drops the coldest three-word message on Instagram after Donald Trump controversy at Club World Cup final

    Palmer and his Chelsea team-mates celebrated their Club World Cup success with an unexpected visitor.

    Football
  • 7 hours ago

    Rodrygo sends Chelsea fans into meltdown with Instagram comment after Club World Cup final win

    The Real Madrid star's comment has some Chelsea fans seriously excited.

    Football
  • Third-highest active international scorer behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi announces retirement
  • Lionel Messi broke two MLS records during stunning display as Inter Miami thrashed NY Red Bulls
  • Lionel Messi makes his feelings clear live on TV about a bizarre new MLS rule during the middle of a match
  • Inter Miami enter negotiations with another former teammate of Lionel Messi, they're getting the band back together