An Italian official hid the World Cup trophy in a shoebox under his bed to protect it from the Nazis.

The original World Cup trophy, known as the Jules Rimet Trophy, was a 35-centimeter tall sculpture made of gold-plated sterling silver and lapis lazuli. After Italy won the 1938 World Cup, the trophy was stored in a bank vault in Rome. However, as World War II intensified and the Nazi regime began looting European treasures, FIFA vice-president Ottorino Barassi feared for its safety.In 1941, Barassi secretly withdrew the trophy from the bank and transported it to his private residence. He placed the priceless artifact inside a worn-out shoebox and slid it deep under his bed, surrounded by mundane household items. This 'hiding in plain sight' strategy proved successful when Nazi officials later raided his home searching for valuables.The Gestapo officers reportedly searched every room but ignored the dusty shoebox, assuming it contained nothing of value. The trophy remained in Barassi's apartment throughout the German occupation of Italy until the war ended in 1945. It was eventually returned to the Italian Football Federation and later transported to Brazil for the 1950 World Cup.This act of bravery preserved one of the most iconic symbols in sports history. Had Barassi not intervened, the original trophy likely would have been melted down for its gold content, a common fate for looted artifacts during the Third Reich. The Jules Rimet Trophy was eventually stolen permanently in Brazil in 1983, making Barassi's wartime protection even more significant.