Report: Lionel Messi splurges £175,000 on 35 iPhone 14s for Argentina World Cup winners

Report: Lionel Messi splurges £175,000 on 35 iPhone 14s for Argentina World Cup winners

David Ben 10:24 - 03.03.2023

The Albiceleste captain has rewarded his national teammates with luxury 35 24-carat gold iPhones as gifts after their 2022 World Cup triumph.

Lionel Messi has reportedly gifted his Argentina team-mates and staff gold iPhones following their World Cup success.

The 35-year-old Paris Saint Germain star splashed £175,000 on 35 pieces of the Apple iPhone 14 series.

Messi was instrumental as he helped his nation through several tricky hurdles before eventually defeating the then-champions France on penalties in a thrilling final.

Messi gifts Argentina teammate 24-Carat gold iPhones

According to reports by 411info, the Argentina captain wanted to give his colleagues a personal memento to remember their incredible success with and decided to gift the Albiceleste team personalised 24-carat gold smartphones was the way to go.

Messi was named the best player in the world at the FIFA best awards.
Messi was named the best player in the world at the FIFA best awards.

The PSG star received the phones at the Parisian department over the weekend and is now set to start sending his gifts out to his teammates.

The CEO of iDesign Gold, Ben Lyons, explained how Messi approached him about designing a special gift after the team’s winning exploits in Qatar.

Lionel Messi and the CEO of iDesign Gold, Ben Lyons
Lionel Messi and the CEO of iDesign Gold, Ben Lyons

'He said he wanted a special gift for all the players and staff to celebrate the amazing win but didn't want the usual gift of watches,’ Lyons was quoted to have told The Sun.

'Lionel is not only the Goat but he's one of iDesigns Gold's most loyal customers and got in touch with us a couple of months after the World Cup final.

'So, I suggested gold iPhones inscribed with their names and he loved the idea.'

Messi gifts 35 gold plated iPhone 14s to Argentina team.
Messi gifts 35 gold plated iPhone 14s to Argentina team.
Messi gifts 35 gold plated iPhone 14s to Argentina team.

Each luxury piece boasts a similar design of the Argentina team badge with the updated three stars, the player's name and national team shirt number, and the words 'World Cup champions 2022.’ he added.

Some of the mobiles which have already been revealed in short social media snippets show the designs of World Cup final goalscorers Messi and Angel di Maria, while Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez's custom devices were also put on display.

Lionel Messi Form & Goals 2023

PSG superstar Lionel Messi.
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The 35-year-old PSG star recently won his seventh FIFA The Best Award for the Men’s player of the year on Monday night.

Messi has been in impressive form for the Ligue 1 champions this season scoring 12 times and creating 12 assists so far in 20 appearances in the league.

He scored and assisted Kylian Mbappe’s brace in PSG’s 3-0 win against Marseille last weekend and is expected to return to action for the league leaders when they host Nantes on Saturday night, March 4, before travelling to Germany for their second leg round of 16 champions league clash against Bayern Munich on Wednesday, March 8.

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