Who was Uefa General Secretary Henri Delaunay and why is the Euro 2024 trophy named after him?

HENRI Delaunay was such an influential footballing figure that he had one of the most coveted cups in the beautiful game named after him.

With Euro 2024 already lighting up our summers, here’s everything you need to know about the former Uefa general secretary.

Not known, clear with picture desk

The late Henri Delaunay is often referred to as the founder of the Euros[/caption]

Who was UEFA General Secretary Henri Delaunay?

Henri Delaunay was the first general secretary of Uefa and one of the biggest advocates for the European Championship.

Often referred to as the founder of the Euros, his vision and dedication were instrumental in the competition’s creation.

Born in Paris in 1883, he embarked on his football career when he was 20, taking on the role of secretary at French side Etoile des Deux Lacs.

In 1906, at the tender age of 23, he was named as general secretary of the forerunner of the French Football Federation (FFF) — the French Interfederal Committee.

By the age of 26 he was the club’s president and a big player in the FFF.

In 1920, he was appointed by Fifa to help establish the Referees Committee.

He was also heavily involved in the founding of Uefa in 1954, spearheading a move towards forming a group of Europe’s national football associations.

Why is the Euro 2024 trophy named after Henri Delaunay?

Throughout Henri’s life, he dreamt of an international competition comprised of just European nations.

Few men have left such a distinct mark, by the sheer force of their personality, on such a universal activity as football, as Henri Delaunay

50 Years of Uefa (2004)

But before his dream came to fruition, he passed away in 1955 at the age of 72 — three years before the inaugural Euros (then called the European Nations’ Cup).

This is why both versions of the trophy have been named after him.

As the 50 Years of Uefa book published in 2004 put it: “Few men have left such a distinct mark, by the sheer force of their personality, on such a universal activity as football, as Henri Delaunay.” 

Who designed the Henri Delaunay cup?

The original Henri Delaunay trophy was created by French jeweller Michel Chobillon in 1958.

In 2008, Uefa commissioned a new version of the trophy, which was redesigned in 2008 by Asprey, London.

Despite being bigger and heavier than its predecessor, the redesign retained the classic design elements of the original.

It weighs in at 8kg, stands 60cm tall and features a wider base than the previous incarnation to support the extra weight.

The new Henri Delaunay cup was first awarded in 2008 when Spain won the title.

Prior to kick off in the Euro 2024 opener between Germany and Scotland in Munich, the late, great Franz Beckenbauer’s wife Heidi was tasked with bringing out the Henri Delaunay trophy.

She fought back tears as she headed out onto the pitch at the Allianz Arena while fans clapped in appreciation.