In the aftermath of one of football’s most exhilarating chapters, Lionel Messi has once again proven why he’s etched in the sport’s pantheon—not just as a scorer of sublime goals, but as a leader who elevates those around him. Fresh off guiding Argentina to their third World Cup crown in Qatar, the 36-year-old Inter Miami forward commissioned a lavish set of 35 custom 24-carat gold iPhone 14 Pro devices, valued at approximately £175,000. Delivered to his Paris apartment in early 2023 while still with Paris Saint-Germain, these weren’t off-the-shelf gadgets; each bore intricate engravings personalizing the triumph for his teammates and support staff, a tangible emblem of shared glory that continues to resonate as the Albiceleste defend their title in upcoming internationals.

The initiative stemmed from Messi’s desire for a unique commemoration, one that sidestepped conventional luxuries like watches. Teaming up with luxury personalization firm iDesign Gold, he envisioned devices that captured the essence of their improbable journey—from gritty group-stage survival to penalty-shootout ecstasy against France. iDesign Gold’s CEO, Ben Lyons, recounted the collaboration in interviews with outlets like The Sun: “Lionel contacted us a couple of months after the final. He wanted something special and blingy to mark his proudest moment, but not the usual gifts. We suggested gold iPhones inscribed with their names, and he loved the idea.” Each phone arrived in an elegant presentation box, complete with a certificate of authenticity, underscoring the bespoke craftsmanship. Priced at around £5,000 per unit for the 1TB models, the collection represented not mere extravagance, but a captain’s heartfelt nod to the collective effort that ended a 36-year drought since 1986.

Personalization elevated the gifts from opulent to intimate. The backs featured the Argentina national team badge, updated with three stars signifying their World Cup hauls, alongside the recipient’s name, jersey number, and the bold inscription “World Cup Champions 2022.” For Messi himself (No. 10), the device crowned the set, displayed atop an Argentina shirt in promotional images. Teammates like Ángel Di María (No. 11, scorer of the final’s opener), Alexis Mac Allister (No. 20, the engine in midfield), and Emiliano Martínez (No. 23, the shootout savior) received theirs with equal flair, their contributions immortalized in gold. Even non-playing staff—coaches, physios, and analysts who fine-tuned Scaloni’s resilient setup—got a piece, ensuring the 35 units blanketed the entire Qatar contingent. Social media glimpses from iDesign Gold showcased the sparkle: Di María’s phone gleaming under studio lights, Martínez’s with its goalkeeper’s edge, each a snapshot of camaraderie forged in high-stakes pressure.

This wasn’t Messi’s first foray into thoughtful extravagance, but it stood apart for its scale and symbolism. Post-Qatar, he scooped individual honors like the Golden Ball and a record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or, yet his focus turned inward to the squad. Argentina’s path had been a masterclass in unity: a last-gasp draw against Saudi Arabia, a semifinal epic over Croatia, and that final where Messi’s brace framed Di María’s magic. Off the pitch, the group’s bond shone through viral clips of locker-room dances and family barbecues, with Messi often the quiet orchestrator. “Football is a team game, and this win was ours,” he reflected in a 2023 FIFA interview. The iPhones extended that ethos, transforming a personal windfall—Messi’s estimated £50 million annual earnings from club and endorsements—into shared legacy items. In an era of fleeting transfers, such gestures foster loyalty, especially as Argentina eyes Copa América defense and 2026 qualifiers.

The World Cup’s backdrop amplified the gesture’s impact. Qatar 2022 marked Messi’s crowning achievement, silencing GOAT debates with seven goals and three assists across seven matches. For a nation gripped by economic woes and political turbulence, the victory sparked nationwide euphoria—millions flooding Buenos Aires streets, murals sprouting in Rosario. Yet beneath the confetti lay the human toll: Scaloni’s squad, blending veterans like Nicolás Otamendi with youngsters like Julián Álvarez, endured isolation bubbles and injury scares. Messi’s gift acknowledged those unseen sacrifices, arriving as the team reconvened for friendlies against Panama and Curaçao in March 2023. Players like Enzo Fernández, whose midfield tenacity earned a £106 million Chelsea move, later shared their delight on Instagram, posting unboxings with captions like “Gracias, capitán—eternal champions.”

iDesign Gold’s role highlighted a burgeoning intersection of sport and luxury tech. Founded to blend Apple’s innovation with artisanal flair, the firm has catered to celebrities seeking status symbols with soul. For Messi’s order, they plated genuine iPhone 14 Pros—retaining full functionality beneath the 24-karat sheen—ensuring practicality met prestige. Lyons emphasized the loyalty angle: “Messi’s a repeat client; he values pieces that tell a story.” The delivery, hand-carried to Paris amid PSG’s Ligue 1 push, coincided with Messi’s domestic form: 21 goals in 41 games that season, clinching another French title. Yet the iPhones transcended club duties, a bridge to national pride that surfaced in 2024’s Copa América conquest, where echoes of Qatar’s joy propelled a record 16th continental crown.

As 2025 unfolds, the gifts’ legacy endures. With Messi now thriving in MLS—netting 20 goals in Inter Miami’s 2024 Supporters’ Shield win—the devices serve as daily reminders amid his post-retirement pursuits, like launching the Leo Messi Foundation for youth education in Argentina. Teammates, scattered across Europe and beyond, occasionally flash theirs in stories: Mac Allister during Liverpool training, Álvarez at Manchester City. The act has inspired copycats; England’s Euro 2024 squad pondered similar tokens, per The Guardian reports. Critics might quibble at the sum—equivalent to a mid-tier transfer fee—but proponents see it as Messi’s ethos incarnate: generosity without strings, much like his free-kick precision.

Broader ripples touch football’s charitable vein. Messi’s foundation, seeded with World Cup bonuses, has funneled millions into Rosario schools, echoing his roots in a working-class enclave. The iPhones, while indulgent, align with his pattern: auctioning World Cup boots for UNICEF (£600,000 raised) or donating to flood victims in Bahia Blanca. In interviews, he demurs: “Success is sweeter shared.” For Argentina, navigating 2026 World Cup prep under Scaloni—boasting an unbeaten streak through 2025 qualifiers—the gold keeps shining, a metallic morale booster.

Ultimately, Messi’s iPhone odyssey underscores football’s dual pulse: the roar of stadiums and the quiet bonds off-field. In gifting gold to those who chased dreams with him, he crafted heirlooms that outlast apps or algorithms—tributes to sweat, strategy, and the singular thrill of lifting a trophy under Qatari stars. As the Albiceleste march toward North American co-hosting, these devices whisper a mantra: champions aren’t born in isolation, but forged together, one engraved pixel at a time. In Messi’s world, victory isn’t hoarded; it’s plated, personalized, and passed along.