Raphinha and Lamine Yamal (foto: Uradni FB/TW/IG profil igralca)
Inspired by Lionel Messi, Raphinha gifted Barcelona teammate Lamine Yamal a personalized gold iPhone worth £10,000, celebrating Yamal’s Kopa Trophy win for the best U21 player in the world.
Raphinha surprised Barcelona’s young star Lamine Yamal with a custom solid gold iPhone worth £10,000, inspired by Lionel Messi’s own tradition of gifting gold iPhones to teammates. This gesture celebrates Yamal’s recent achievement of winning the Kopa Trophy, awarded at the Ballon d’Or ceremony to the best U21 player in the world.
At just 17, Yamal has been rewriting records, with his rapid rise in football earning admiration from his Barcelona colleagues. Currently serving as captain, Raphinha wanted to acknowledge Yamal’s accomplishments by commissioning a luxury phone made by I Design Gold, a company known for creating exclusive, personalized tech for high-profile clients. The gold iPhone is tailored to Yamal’s preferences, with his name engraved on the back.
According to a source quoted in The Sun, Raphinha presented the phone to Yamal after the Ballon d’Or ceremony, and Yamal was thrilled by the unique gift. The source described it as a symbol of their close bond both on and off the field.
An IDG spokesperson expressed pride in being part of the tribute, stating, “Yamal and Raphinha have formed a very special partnership on the field with Robert Lewandowski; off the pitch, they have become great friends. We were honored to deliver this amazing young player our famous gold iPhone. As a company, we always look after individuals and create exclusive pieces that reflect their personalities. Next year, we’re excited to expand into the Middle East and USA markets, bringing our luxury designs to more clients who appreciate innovation and personalization.”
Raphinha’s thoughtful gesture was inspired by Messi, who famously gifted gold iPhones to Argentina’s entire team and staff after their Qatar 2022 World Cup victory, with an order of 35 phones costing Messi £175,000. Following in the footsteps of the iconic forward, Raphinha hopes to foster camaraderie and celebrate achievements in the same grand style.