The Base of the Original World Cup Trophy Found in FIFA's Basement

An amazing sporting artefact, long thought to have been gone for good, was found in FIFA's storage basement. 

The Jules Rimet Trophy was awarded to the winners of the World Cup from the first tournament in 1930 until Brazil won it for the third time in 1970. 

After that success, Brazil were allowed to keep the trophy permanently, but it was stolen in 1983 and never recovered. 

The original base of the Jules Rimet, named after the FIFA president who set up the World Cup, was actually changed in 1954. 

Now, the base of the very first trophy has been found at FIFA's headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. 

"It's like finding an Egyptian mummy. You can't put a price tag on it because it's family jewels," David Ausseil, creative director of FIFA's museum, told The Associated Press (via BBC). 

"We think no FIFA president has seen it since Jules Rimet himself. We thought the base was lost in Brazil," Ausseil added.

Host Uruguay won the first World Cup in 1930 by beating Argentina 4-2 in the final.

Anonymous/Associated Press

[BBC Sport]