You all know about Lionel Messi’s record-breaking Instagram photo, which shows him lifting the World Cup trophy after winning the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
However, two fans explained to Argentinian outlet Clarin that the trophy in Messi’s photo, which accumulated a whopping 74 million likes, was in fact fake.
As is customary, FIFA removed the original trophy some moments after FIFA president Gianni Infantino handed it to Messi for podium photographs.
Paula Zuzulich told the newsroom that before the World Cup they got in touch with people who make trophies and it took six months to make it.
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‘The idea was to get the players to sign it, but in the end, it was taken down to the pitch three times. First a member of [Leandro] Paredes’ family got him to sign it. The second time we were asked for it, it was down there for 45 minutes, being passed from one player to another, from one relative to another, while photos were taken.’
FIFA security even reportedly asked them to hand it over to make sure it wasn’t the original due to the difference being minimal.
Photographers captured the moment Angel Di Maria pointed to the bottom of the trophy to show the main difference to tell Messi he was duped. Thankfully, the football star found it hilarious and still shared the photo which went on to become the most liked social media post in history.