According to Argentine media TyC Sports, the winner of this year’s Copa America – either Argentina or Colombia – will lift the original Copa America trophy. The last time this trophy was awarded was in 2001; from 2004 to 2021, champions received replica trophies.
The Copa America championship trophy was born in 1917, crafted by a jewelry store in Buenos Aires, and first presented at the 1917 South American Championship, which later became known as the Copa America.
The original trophy is a silver metal piece that cost 3,000 Swiss francs at the time. This jeweler also imported the trophy’s base from France, ultimately responsible for designing and producing the final product.
As the Copa America progressed, a second row of champion badges was added to the trophy in 1979, along with a wooden base. In 1995, a third row of champion badges was added. The last time the original trophy was awarded was in 2001, notably, the then-champion Colombia has also reached the 2024 final, competing against Argentina for the title.
From 2004 to 2021, Copa America champions received replicas. However, following the successful restoration of the original trophy, it will be presented to the new Copa America champion at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The weight of this trophy now stands at 11.85 kilograms.