Lionel Messi splashed out £175,000 on gifts for Argentina's World Cup-winning squad and staff
Lionel Messi splashed out £175,000 on gifts for his Argentina teammates after finally getting his hands on the World Cup.
La Albiceleste followed up their Copa America success with a first World Cup triumph for 36 years, beating France on penalties in a breathtaking final of the showpiece in Qatar.
Lionel Scaloni's side lost their first game in shock fashion to Saudi Arabia but then turned things around, with Messi begging seven goals in a glittering tournament.
He won the Golden Ball as a result and earlier this week won the Best FIFA Men's Player award ahead of Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema.
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And in a stunning gesture, Messi bought 35 gold 24-carat iPhones for players and staff. He purchased them through iDesign Gold, who once delivered a glitzy gift to him at Barcelona's training ground.
Each phone was completely customised, featuring each player's name and number, as well as the Argentina crest.
The blinged up mobiles were delivered to the Paris apartment he currently resides in on Saturday and are to be dished out.
“Lionel is not only the Goat but he’s one of IDESIGN GOLD’s most loyal customers and got in touch with us a couple of months after the World Cup final," iDesign Gold'S CEO Ben told The Sun.
"He said he wanted a special gift for all the players and staff to celebrate the amazing win but didn’t want the usual gift of watches.
“So, I suggested gold iPhones inscribed with their names and he loved the idea.”
When Liverpool won the Champions League for a sixth time in 2019, all 27 players of the squad as well as manager Jurgen Klopp each received the bespoke phones.
Owner Ben set up iDesign Gold aged 23 when he was in homeless accommodation in Scotland after his first business collapsed.
Topics: Lionel Messi, Argentina, FIFA World Cup
Josh Lawless