Cristiano Ronaldo And Lionel Messi Get Special 'FIFA World Cup Legacy' Badge: Explained

Last Updated:June 18, 2026, 12:33 IST

FIFA unveils 2026 World Cup sleeve badges, including a Legacy badge for icons like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric, plus honors for champions and award winners

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has unveiled a series of special sleeve badges designed to celebrate both historic achievements and long-standing contributions to the sport.

Among the most striking additions is the newly introduced “FIFA World Cup Legacy" badge, which has already been seen on the shirts of some of football’s most iconic figures.

Why Is The Badge So Special?

The Legacy badge is reserved for players whose careers have spanned multiple World Cups and whose impact on the tournament has become part of its history. Positioned beneath the standard FIFA World Cup patch, the badge features a gold silhouette of a footballer alongside the words “FIFA World Cup Legacy." It also includes personalised details, such as the player’s name and national flag. Some badges even feature unique references to individual players, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s version reportedly including imagery linked to his famous “SIUU" celebration.

Among the first recipients are Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, both of whom made their World Cup debuts in Germany in 2006 and are now appearing in a record sixth edition of the tournament. Messi arrives as a World Cup winner after captaining Argentina to glory in Qatar in 2022, while Ronaldo continues to enhance his remarkable legacy as Portugal’s all-time leading goalscorer.

Any Other Players Wearing It?

Another notable recipient is Luka Modric, who is playing at his fifth World Cup with Croatia. The former Ballon d’Or winner famously led Croatia to the 2018 final and helped them secure third place four years later in Qatar.

FIFA has also introduced several other commemorative sleeve patches for the tournament. Former World Cup-winning nations are wearing a special gold champions badge, while countries making their tournament debut have received a “Debut FIFA World Cup" patch.

Individual honours are also being recognised. Previous Golden Boot winners such as Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and James Rodriguez are wearing dedicated scorer badges, while former Golden Glove recipients including Emiliano Martinez, Thibaut Courtois and Manuel Neuer have special goalkeeper patches.

The initiative serves as a tribute to both emerging nations and legendary players who have shaped the World Cup’s rich history across generations.

About the Author

Ritayan Basu

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for over a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket conten...Read More

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