Presented here is a Second Place Silver medal from the 1998 FIFA World Cup presented to a Brazil National Team player. The 1998 FIFA World Cup tournament was hosted and eventually won by France. The Brazilians were heavy favorites to repeat and nearly accomplished back-to-back glory for the second time in their illustrious history at the world's biggest sporting event. Only Italy and Brazil have ever won two straight World Cups. Brazil should have finished group play with nine points, but came up short against Norway due to already having secured a spot in elimination play prior to the match. The Brazilians would then face some serious challenges on their way to the final. They coasted past Chile in the round of 16, but squeaked by Denmark in a close 3-2 result in the quarterfinals. In the Semifinals, the Seleçãos had to go to penalties to defeat Netherlands (4-2), before ultimately getting shut out by the French hosts in the Finals, 3-0.
The rather plain appearance of this 1998 FIFA World Cup Silver medals is nothing to boast about, but what it represents certainly is. Only players, coaches and a select few executives of the Brazil Football Confederation (CFB) were issued these important second-place winners medals. And while not winning the tournament may have been viewed as a failure for Brazil and their passionate fan base, just about every other nation in the world would consider the Runners-Up finish a major accomplishment.
Made of Sterling Silver by renowned maker Bertoni, the front features a relief image of the FIFA World Cup trophy and the reverse has a raised "COUPE DU MONDE DE LA FIFA FRANCE 1998" announcing the event in French. The "925" Sterling hallmark and manufacturer "G.D.E. Bertoni" are stamped on the bottom edge. The medal measure 50 mm in diameter and weighs 46 grams, and is looped to its long red, white and blue ribbon in honor of the French flag. It presents in NM overall shape and comes housed in its original blue Bertoni presentation case with a silver embossed FIFA logo on top. Another example of this medal (not specified as player-issued) recently sold at auction for $10,240; in our last auction we sold a 1938 FIFA World Cup Silver medal for $18,368. The player who received this special medal must remain anonymous per consignor instructions. Includes LOA from the Brazil National Team's former Technical Coordinator.