Argentina captain Lionel Messi has gifted his FIFA World Cup 2022-winning teammates and staff-member gold-plated winning iPhone 14s. He specially ordered these phones for every member of the contingent that brought home the trophy for the first time in 36 years since Diego Maradona helped the Albicelestes won the tournament in 1986.
As per a report carried out by The Sun, each of the phone carries the player's names, numbers as well as the Argentinian logo on it. The same report has also confirmed that Messi got the specially crafted phones delivered to his apartment in Paris on Saturday. Each of the device reportedly costs £175,000 which is approximately 1.73 crore.
Messi's gesture comes as he wanted to immortalise the team's World Cup triumph in Qatar. The legendary forward-led the side to victory to lift the only major trophy that was missing from his cabinet. Messi scored seven goals in the competition and led from the front even in the summit clash where he netted twice before converting his penalty in the shootout.
The 35-year-old had also bagged the Golden Ball for being the competition's best player which shows how much of an impact he had in Argentina's win not only as the goalscorer but also as someone who created goal-scoring opportunities for others.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward was voted the Best Men's Player at The Best FIFA Awards announced in Paris on Sunday night. Messi was voted ahead of PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema.
"Winning the World Cup is the most beautiful thing that has happened in my career. It’s a dream for many, but few can win it. I want to thank my family, the people of Argentina, as it will remain in our memories forever. I want to send a kiss to my children, who are watching this, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro, I love you. Now, go to bed," he said in his speech which went viral.