Lionel Andrés Messi, the Argentine footballer, has gifted 35 custom-made iPhone 14 Pro models to his teammates in the Argentina national football team as a gesture of appreciation for their support during the World Cup 2022 campaign in Qatar.
The iPhones, which cost approximately $4,800 each, were made by iDesign Gold and featured a 24-karat gold plaque on the back with the person’s name, shirt number, and the logo of the AFA (Asociacion del Futbol Argentino).
Messi, who had led Argentina to their first World Cup victory in 36 years, spent around $170,000/€160,000 on the gifts. The customized iPhones were delivered to the players and staff by the iDesign Gold team, who also posted pictures on Instagram with Messi.
The gesture by Messi has been widely appreciated, with many considering it a testament to his down-to-earth personality and his gratitude towards his teammates.
Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, having won numerous awards and accolades, including the Ballon d’Or, European golden boots, and the FIFA best player of the year award seven times.
The iPhones gifted by Messi are not the first customized devices made by iDesign Gold, as they have previously made customized iPhones for other football stars like Kylian Mbappe and Neymar Jr.
The Argentina national football team, also known as La Albiceleste (‘The White and Sky Blue’), had a historic World Cup 2022 campaign in Qatar, where Messi led his team to victory in the final against Germany. The World Cup victory was the only missing piece in Messi’s illustrious career, which has seen him play for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, among other clubs.
Messi’s gift to his teammates is a golden reminder of their success and a symbol of his appreciation for their support during the World Cup campaign.
