Ginza Tanaka, a Japanese jeweller who created World’s Most Expensive Christmas Tree Worth $2 Million has now shown its skill and creativity by producing a £3.5 million ($5.25 million) gold sculpture of Messi’s left foot in tribute to the Argentine forward’s four-consecutive FIFA Ballon d’Or awards as the best player in the world.
“I’m honoured to have my foot recreated in pure gold,” said Messi in a video message during the presentation. Messi’s brother, Rodrigo, present at the unveiling, added: “It’s exceptional, you can see each line on the foot.”
An employee of Ginza Tanaka poses beside the golden replica of football star Lionel Messi of Argentine’s left foot
This exact replica of Messi’s left foot is a 25 kilogram solid gold statue around 25 x 28 x 16, which was made in Spain in the end of 2012, a year in which Messi scored the record breaking figure of 91 goals.
According to Naoto Mizuki of Ginza Tanaka, it has been hard to find a buyer for the golden replica of the source of so many of Messi’s goals.
“It’s a little expensive but it’s meant for wealthy people around the world. We tried to sell it to a Japanese audience but maybe people from all over the world will be interested in this,” he said.
There are various speculations who could be a lucky buyer: maybe some Russian billionaires, Florentino Perez and even Silvio Berlusconi.
However, regardless of who buys Messi’s left foot, the part of the profits from sale will go to help some of the people affected by the earthquake and tsunami which hit Japan two years ago through the Leo Messi Foundation.
Ginza Tanaka has also produced Messi’s golden footprint, which costs £63,000 ($95,000), as well as a mini version of the golden foot; worth £28,000 ($42,000). [The Golden Foot]
Messis Left Foot Gold Sculpture by Ginza Tanaka
Rodrigo Messi, brother of football star Lionel Messi of Argentina, with Messis Left Foot Gold Sculpture
Messi’s golden footprint by Ginza Tanaka
Messis Left Foot mini version by Ginza Tanaka
