The 2022-23 edition of the Champions League comes to an end with the great match between Manchester City and Inter Milan, clubs that have earned the right to play for the title thanks to their excellent performance in this prestigious tournament. Ciudadanos and Neroazzurros will go head-to-head in Istanbul with the firm goal of ending the season with a win and adding the trophy of… to their showcases ‘Orejona’one of the most famous trophies in international football.
Although the English have become the competition’s cheerleaders in recent years, they still haven’t given it any devotion. Quite the opposite is the case for the Italians, who not only already know what it means to win the Champions League, but have also managed to do so on three occasions (1963-64, 1964-65 and 2009-10).
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Why is the Champions League trophy called Orejona?
The reason for the odd nickname for the Champions League trophy is no big secret. Its two distinctive handles, one on each side of the main body, resemble two large human ears. For this reason, the ingenuity of the Spanish press baptized it “Orejona”, according to the Chilean journalist Luis Omar Tapia, former employee of the Fox Sports and ESPN chains and responsible for popularizing the term in the Americas.
Current design of the Champions League trophy. Photo: Uefa
However, the peculiar design that the prize currently has is actually the second in its history. In 1967, Swiss jeweler Jörg Stadelmann was commissioned to model his new figurine, which survives to this day, although there have been as many as five versions due to minor modifications.
How much does the Champions League trophy weigh?
As UEFA states on its website, the trophy, popularly known as the Orejona, is 73.5 centimeters high and weighs 7.5 kilograms. In the middle is the official name: Coupe des Clubs Champions Européens.
How much is the Champions League trophy worth?
The mold on which the “orejona” is made is made of wood, with the inner part dipped in 24k gold and covered with silver on the outside. The estimated cost is 10,000 Swiss Francs (US$11,000).
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Who has the Champions League trophy?
Since the 2008/09 season, the original Champions League trophy has remained the property of UEFA and only one replica is supplied to each champion team. However, the first trophy before the Orejona remained the property of Real Madrid in recognition of its five-time championship between 1955 and 1960.
First version of the Champions League trophy. It is currently owned by Real Madrid. Photo: Wikipedia.