Lionel Messi hadn’t held the World Cup trophy since that unforgettable day in Qatar, but the magic of the moment was still very much alive. At an Adidas-sponsored event at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, the Argentine legend reunited with the iconic prize, and his reaction quickly went viral.
As the trophy was handed to him, Messi beamed with a wide smile, lifted it proudly, and kissed its golden surface, prompting applause from everyone in the room—including FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who was also present. This marked the first time Messi had held the World Cup since leading Argentina to victory in December 2022.
Also attending the event were other sports giants linked to Adidas, such as NFL star Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs, and World Cup champions Alessandro Del Piero and Jürgen Klinsmann. The brief but emotional ceremony served as a powerful reminder of how much that trophy means to Messi and to fans worldwide.
