Inside Caviar's 24K Gold Messi and Ronaldo Collector Phones

Picture a folding phone dressed like a national team jersey. It is ornate, almost theatrical. It is not about specs today. It is about ritual, fandom and craftsmanship wrapped in metal and enamel.

Gold, enamel and two very public careers

Caviar has revealed its Legends collection, a short run of ultra-luxury smartphones honoring Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo just as the 2026 World Cup closes. These are not mere decals. They replace ordinary glass and aluminum with cloisonné enamel panels and 24 karat gold accents, turning mass-market hardware into limited-edition keepsakes.

The Messi piece is built around the unreleased Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. Caviar removes the standard rear glass and installs a miniature portrait framed by Argentina’s white and sky-blue colors, the number 10 and national motifs. The cloisonné technique means each color sits in a tiny metal cell and is fired at high temperatures, giving depth and resilience that paint cannot match. The frame and decorative outlines are plated in 24 karat gold. The starting price for the 256 GB model is €12,211.

For Ronaldo, the canvas is Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. Same artisan approach. Different palette. Portugal’s red and green dominate, with a geometric background, Ronaldo’s portrait and the number 7, all rimmed in gold. The base 256 GB iPhone 17 Pro edition starts at €10,611.

Caviar will make 19 units of each design. Each phone ships in bespoke packaging that includes a gold-plated key and a commemorative branded coin. There is also mention of a future iPhone Ultra version honoring Erling Haaland, which the company says will be produced after Apple’s expected hardware event in September.

Timing matters. The rollout coincides with what many expect to be the last World Cup appearances for both Messi and Ronaldo. That context turns these devices into emotional, collectible objects as much as luxury hardware.

There is a market for this. There are buyers who prize rarity and narrative over raw benchmarks. Who buys them? Collectors, superfans, status buyers, and anyone who wants a striking conversation piece. The phones are limited, expensive and unapologetically ornamental.

One practical note. While the iPhone 17 Pro has been available for some months, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is set to land on July 22, which makes Caviar’s Fold 8 Ultra-based model an early customization tied to the device’s debut.

These editions will never be about volume sales. They are statements, where jewelry techniques meet consumer electronics. And they ask a familiar question: how far will enthusiasts go to own a piece of sporting lore?