Caviar's 'Legends' Collection: A Complete Guide to the $13,000+ Messi and Ronaldo Smartphones

Caviar's "Legends" collection is a pair of ultra-limited-edition smartphones honoring Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, launched to coincide with the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Each device features an artisan-crafted portrait using the hot cloisonné enamel technique with 24-karat (999-fine) gold plating . The collection is strictly limited to 19 units per model worldwide .

This is not a standard smartphone release. It is a collector's item for football fans with deep pockets, blending high-end craftsmanship with the emotional weight of what is expected to be the final World Cup appearance for both players .

The Messi Edition: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

The Messi edition is built on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, a model that had not yet been officially announced by Samsung at the time of Caviar's launch . This means Caviar secured units of a future flagship before its public release.

• Design: The portrait of Messi is executed in the white and sky-blue colors of the Argentine national team, with 24-karat gold outlines, the number 10, and national symbols highlighted in gold . The back panel is entirely replaced by the cloisonné enamel artwork.
• Pricing: Starting at $13,130 on Caviar's official product page . Independent reports cite prices up to $18,382 depending on the storage configuration and exchange rate . HotHardware reports a "$13,000" starting point . The price range from $13,130 to $18,382 corresponds to different storage tiers (256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB) and regional settings.
• Production: 1–4 business days for production; international shipping takes at least one week [source: Caviar product page].
• Exclusive inclusions: Custom branded packaging that includes a Caviar-branded key with 24-karat gold plating [source: Caviar product page gallery].

The Ronaldo Edition: iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max

The Ronaldo edition uses the Apple iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max as its base device .

• Design: Ronaldo's portrait is set against red and green Portuguese national colors with a "monumental, sculptural style" and the number 7 highlighted in gold .
• Pricing: Starting at $11,410 on Caviar's official product page . Independent coverage reports $15,974 as the starting price for the 1 TB model . Some outlets report an $11,000 starting point . The variance reflects storage options (256 GB to 2 TB) and the choice of iPhone 17 Pro vs. Pro Max.
• Production: 1–4 business days; international shipping at least one week [source: Caviar product page].

What You Get with Every Legends Phone

Caviar includes several perks beyond the phone itself:

• Personalized engravings: Buyers can request personal engraving on the side edges, custom logos, initials, or design modifications [source: Caviar product pages].
• Custom packaging: Branded packaging is included, with the Messi set featuring a 24-karat gold-plated Caviar key [source: Caviar product page for id28884].
• One-year warranty: Caviar provides a 1-year warranty for all iPhone and Samsung devices in the collection [source: Caviar product pages under "Warranty" section].
• Certificate of authenticity: Each unit comes with an international certificate of authenticity with five protection levels [source: Caviar product pages].

Why the Timing Matters

The collection launches at the end of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is widely expected to be the last World Cup appearance for both Messi and Ronaldo . This gives the phones a time-capsule quality: they commemorate the defining rivalry of 21st-century football at its likely final global stage.

Pricing Caveat: Why Sources Disagree

The base prices on Caviar's own website ($13,130 for Messi, $11,410 for Ronaldo) are lower than figures reported in some news outlets ($18,382 and $15,974 respectively) . This discrepancy consistently corresponds to higher-tier storage options (1 TB or 2 TB models) and regional currency conversions. The official starting prices are the lower figures; the higher figures reflect maxed-out configurations as reported by Notebookcheck.