Raphinha gifts Yamal £10,000 solid gold iPhone to congratulate his Ballon D’or Kopa trophy win

LAMINE Yamal’s Barcelona teammate Raphinha surprised him with a £10,000 solid gold iPhone to celebrate his Ballon D’or Koba trophy win.

Yamal was awarded the Koba at the ceremony in Paris last month.

Insiders said Raphinha was inspired by Lionel Messi and Kevin De Bruyne – who previously bought gifts for their teammates from I Design Gold.

A source said: “Raphinha presented the solid gold iPhone to Yamal when they were together and he was delighted.

“It was a mark of their friendship both off and on the field and was given to him after the Ballon D’Or ceremony where he got the Koba trophy.

“Raphinha had the phone made especially for Yamal by I Design Gold and it was tailored to all of his preferences and has his name engraved on the back.”

A spokesperson for I Design Gold said: “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 honoured 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 be expanding further into the Middle East and USA retail markets, bringing our luxury designs to even more clients who appreciate innovation and personalisation.”

I Design Gold is a pioneering luxury brand that has become synonymous with bespoke tech accessories, celebrated worldwide for crafting exclusive, high-end gadgets that combine artistry, customisation, and premium materials. 

Known especially for their gold and platinum devices, the company has become the go-to brand for elite athletes, celebrities, and global tastemakers who seek more than functionality from their phone—they seek a statement piece that aligns with their personal style.

As luxury tech becomes more popular among football’s elite, players like Messi, De Bruyne, and now Raphinha and Yamal, have all called upon I Design Gold for the gifts.

Last year, Messi spent £175,000 on 35 of the gold iPhones for his Argentine World Cup winning team and staff.

A source said: “Lionel wanted to do something special and blingy to celebrate his proudest moment.”