This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/15/2019
The 2002 FIFA World Cup, hosted by South Korea and Japan, featured European power Germany against the South American soccer gods from Brazil in a classic Finals. Both teams boasted a rich winning tradition on the international stage. Germany was hoping to tie Brazil for most World Cup titles at four, while Brazil was looking to increase its world football dominance. Germany's hopes and dreams were dashed by Ronaldo's clutch brace in the second half and the Brazilians held on for a 2-0 victory. Ronaldo's first goal came in the 67th minute when he crashed the box off a deflection from the keeper and slotted the ball into the right corner of the net. The big striker's second goal came in the 79th minute when he finished a perfect assist off the back heel of Rivaldo with a precise tap into the right corner once again.
Featured here is a special 2002 FIFA World Cup Bertoni trophy presented only to players, coaches and elite staff members from the Brazil National Football team. The great victory sealed Brazil as the best on the planet, giving Seleção their 5th World Cup title as a nation. This smaller-sized version of the official FIFA World Cup trophy in a solid, gold-colored metal features an athletic figure with arms raised in triumph and a globe on top. The front bottom is engraved "FIFA WORLD CUP" and the rear bottom is hallmarked with famed Milan manufacturer "BERTONI", "© F.I.F.A." and "1974" (first year this trophy design was used). A gold plaque on the 5x5x4 cm black marble base has "2002 FIFA WORLD CUP KOREA JAPAN" along with the 2002 tournament logo. The underside of the marble base has an official "G.D.E. Bertoni Milan Italy" licensee sticker.
The well-crafted trophy (made of a high-quality metal composition) stands 15 cm tall and weighs 585 grams (21.6 oz.). It is housed in its original, wardrobe-like blue presentation case. The interior of the 21.5-by-12-by-12 cm tall case is lined in elegant blue satin and has "BERTONI Italy" embossed in gold at the roof. The trophy sits atop an internal display stand enclosed by two doors that shut using a classy latch design. The trophy presents essentially NM-MT/MT with hardly any handling or wear; the case/stand is NM with light usage. This extraordinary piece of soccer history comes with an LOA from the Brazil National Team's longtime medic.
Note: This is not the same trophy as the one we sold last auction for $12,131. This one was issued to a different staff member and comes in better condition.