Football is undoubtedly the most popular sport in the world. In a country such as Nigeria, the sport is beloved by many. Regarded as the “beautiful game,” millions of Nigeria heavily support local and foreign clubs, including the national teams.
Nearly every Nigerian kid who loves watching the sport wants to go pro. The pinnacle of being a professional is to play in the big leagues and win big trophies. This includes the FIFA World Cup, the African Cup of Nations, and more.
The big trophies are eye-catching and look very expensive. However, are they worth how they look, or are they designed to give that feeling? Read this guide to find out the top 10 most expensive football trophy in the world 2024.
What Football Trophies Represent
Football trophies go way beyond the physical object presented to the champions. Rather, it is a representation of dedication and excellence. Furthermore, it tells a story of how a group has strived to become the best and etch their names in the history books. These players’ names become folklore, inspiring the younger generation to push their limits and allowing fans to dream big.
Beyond the achievement, it unites people together. Fans from different religions, ethnicities, and backgrounds all in one voice to support and celebrate the victory. Therefore, we can say that football trophies hold significant cultural value, becoming symbols of national and international prestige. This also applies to club sides, as we have seen fans from around develop a supporting community for football clubs.
The symbolism of football trophies extends far beyond the sport itself. Championships have been known to influence economic, social, and political scenes. For example, a team winning the FIFA World Cup would send the country into a frenzy, which brings the social sphere to life. Economically, they get known for their football prowess, and bigger clubs could get players from the local league.
Ten of the Most Expensive Football Trophies
Football is a global game with thousands of trophies; however, some are more expensive than others. After hours of research, we pinpointed the ten most expensive trophies. The table below gives you an insight into their worth;
Now that you know little about these trophies, let's take a deeper look into them and the competition;
| S/N | Trophy | Worth (Approximate) | Region |
Current Holders |
| 1 | FIFA World Cup |
$20 million |
World, Organized by FIFA | Argentina |
| 2 |
Copa Libertadores |
$8.5 million | South America | Fluminense |
| 3 | UEFA Europa League | $4.5 million | Europe | Atalanta |
| 4 | FA Cup | $1.18 million | England | Manchester United |
| 5 | Africa Cup of Nations | $150,000 | Africa | Ivory Coast |
| 6 | Serie A |
$66,000 |
Italy | Inter Milan |
| 7 |
Bundesliga Meisterchale |
$57,000 | Germany | Bayer Leverkusen |
| 8 | La Liga | $30,000 | Spain | Real Madrid |
| 9 | UEFA Champions League | $15,000 | Europe | Real Madrid |
| 10 | English Premier League | $10,000 | England | Manchester City |
The FIFA World Cup
Any professional or amateur footballer will tell you that their dream is to play and possibly win the FIFA World Cup trophy. It's, therefore, the ultimate football prize. The trophy is made up of 18-karat gold, which is valued at around $20 million.
The tournament takes place every four years. The 2026 edition in the US, Canada, and Mexico would feature 48 teams. This makes the odds of players winning the trophy harder.
Beyond the gold and the individual awards presented after the final, the World Cup symbolises global unity. It is the most-watched sports event, attracting viewership from every place on Earth. This is what makes winning extra special.
Copa Libertadores
Valued around $8.5 million, the Copa Libertadores trophy is the holy grail of football in South America. Named after the continent’s liberators, this prestigious silver trophy is awarded yearly to the best Latin America club.
Trophy winners aren't forgotten, as their names are engraved on it. The players and fans want a name on the trophy, as they put their bodies on the line to make this happen.
Fluminense currently holds this trophy, which happens to be their first triumph. However, if you speak of Copa Libertadores royalty, Independiente from Argentina represents that. The club has won the title a record seven times.
UEFA Europa League
Although not as popular as the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League's trophy seems more expensive. Based on our research, the winners get to life a $4.5 million silver trophy, which Atalanta currently holds.
Rather than expanding the European Cup (UCL), UEFA created the UEFA Cup in 1971. It was going to be the second-tier club competition, mainly for the lower-ranked teams.
A rebranding occurred in the 09/10 season, as it became the UEFA Europa League. Allowing teams from diverse leagues, there was fierce competition. The league is popular today for its unpredictable outcomes, with several underdog stories.
FA Cup
Starting in 1871, the FA Cup is the oldest football club competition. Therefore, we can say its $1.18 million trophy is the oldest. Although, it has been remodelled over the years by the English Football Association.
The FA Cup's beauty is that it is open to all levels within England's football pyramid. This has led to the famous “The Magic of the Cup,” where David and Goliath's battles occur.
In these battles, we have experienced several underdog stories. However, no underdog has gone all the way. But fans are still hopeful and happy that the lower-tier teams can go toe-to-toe with top Premier League clubs.
Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)
Nigerians are kept on their toes every two years, cheering the Super Eagles at the AFCON. This is the biggest footballing event on the continent, and every nation wants to make its mark. The winners get to lift the $150,000 trophy.
It might surprise Nigerians that the trophy Joseph Yobo lifted in their 2013 triumph isn't entirely gold. The trophy is silver but gold-plated.
That said, AFCON not only celebrates the technicality and physicality of African football. It's a tournament that unites African nations in friendly rivalries. It also reinforces the continent’s footballing heritage, inspiring the next generation.
Serie A
The scudetto (small shield) is the trophy given to the Italian first-division champions. Surprisingly, the list is filled with the trophy, as it doesn't look too expensive. Worth $66,000, the trophy is a silver masterpiece symbolising the glory of Italian football.
Inter Milan currently holds the title. This was the 20th time of being “Coppa Campioni d'Italia” champions. That earned them a second star on their logo, which is Italian custom.
Serie A’s emphasis on tactical brilliance and passionate fan support makes winning this trophy highly coveted. For players, clubs, and fans, the Serie A trophy represents the pinnacle of Italian football, steeped in tradition and competitive spirit.
Bundesliga Meisterchale
The 23/24 saw the end of Bayern Munich's reign of terror as they dominated the Bundesliga. Like all football lovers worldwide, Nigerians have termed it as a farmers’ league. However, Bayer Leverkusen, for the first time, claimed the $57,000 shield.
Finishing the season unbeaten, Bayern Leverkusen set new records. Nigerians must have also been joyful to see compatriot Victor Boniface be a part of the league-winning side.
The Meisterchale dawns a distinctive appearance, often regarded as a salad bowl. This makes it one of the most popular trophies. Winning the league has been hard, due to Bayern's presence. Therefore, a win is one fans will forever cherish.
La Liga
La Liga is home to two of the biggest clubs in the world: Real Madrid and Barcelona. Every year, these two European heavyweights are tipped to battle it out for the $30,000 trophy. Although the trophy is heavy, it isn't worth as it looks.
Since the inception of the league, there have been only nine champions. Current holders Real Madrid are the most successful, being crowned champions 36 times.
For fans, winning La Liga is an affirmation of excellence in Spanish football. It's a statement that you are better than your bitter rivals. For players, it's like being on top of the world and achieving your childhood dreams.
UEFA Champions League
Undoubtedly the biggest club competition in the world. Tuesday and Wednesday nights are not the same in Nigeria as millions are at viewing centres to cheer their team to victory. This makes the UCL one of the most viewed sporting events.
Many might be in disbelief to find out that the trophy cost a mere $15,000. However, the competition is more than the trophy's worth; it is what it represents in Europe.
A new format of the UCL was introduced for the 24/25 season. Although fans are yet to get used to it, it hasn't stopped their passion. For fans who enjoy UCL betting, 1 Win, who introduced the Mines Pro 1Win, has the best odds for Nigerians.
English Premier League
For years now, the EPL has remained the most-watched league in Nigeria. The big teams in the country include Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool. Which fans cheering their team to win the coveted $10,000 league trophy.
Manchester City currently holds this title, symbolising their recent dominance in English football. This success has helped them attract a new breed of Nigerian fans
The Premier League trophy is crafted from silver, with a design inspired by the Three Lions symbol of England. Winning the Premier League represents not only excellence but also resilience, as teams must consistently perform at a high level throughout the season.
1Win: The Gateway to Football Betting
If you are a lover of football, you probably know all the sporting events we have talked about. Gambling in Nigeria is seen as a way to express passion for the beautiful game. If you are looking for a way to express this passion, 1Win offers you a chance.
Operating since 2016, 1Win is a sportsbook that was designed with the user in mind. Aside from sports betting, there are other features, such as a chance to play the Aviator game, which is quite popular.
That said, here's how to join 1Win;
• Visit the official website
• Create an account
• Deposit for wagering
• Enter the sportsbook section
• Play your bet on any football event
Conclusion
Football is known to be the ‘King of Sports” in Nigeria and the rest of the world. This guide happens to be educational, providing you with knowledge on the most expensive trophies. We hope you found this helpful, learning one or two things you didn't know before. If you ever want to put knowledge of football into sports betting, then 1Win should be your go-to option. They also have an app to make things convenient for you.
