Stolen Champions League Trophy Recovered Days Before Women’s Final in Lisbon

The Polícia de Segurança Pública (Public Security Police) of Portugal has announced the successful recovery of the UEFA Women’s Champions League trophy, which had been stolen during a recent match between Sporting CP and Vitória SC at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon.

The incident, which occurred on the sidelines of a Portuguese league fixture, shocked the sporting world when reports emerged that the prestigious Women’s Champions League trophy and some UEFA materials had gone missing from one of the stadium’s underground garages.

The material was intended for promotional use in the lead-up to the final of the tournament, set to take place later this on the 24th of May 2025.

According to a statement released by the Polícia de Segurança Pública, their Divisão de Investigação Criminal (Criminal Investigation Division) was promptly alerted to the theft and began a thorough investigation.

Surveillance footage, witness accounts, and rapid response coordination allowed law enforcement officers to locate and recover the trophy before any damage could occur.

The recovered item, a silver trophy that symbolizes the pinnacle of achievement in European women’s club football, was displayed by the authorities as part of the announcement, putting to rest growing concerns about its whereabouts.

Images released by the police show the iconic trophy intact, standing proudly against a backdrop of evidence packaging in what appears to be an evidence room.

Although specific details of the investigation have not yet been disclosed for operational reasons, sources suggest that the theft may have been opportunistic. However, authorities are not ruling out any possibilities and continue to pursue leads to identify and apprehend the perpetrator or perpetrators involved in the crime.

UEFA has not yet released an official statement, but insiders suggest that the organization is relieved by the swift resolution and is now working closely with local organizers to ensure enhanced security for upcoming events.

The trophy is expected to resume its journey across various promotional stops in the run-up to the final, which is expected to be one of the most-watched editions of the competition in recent history.

Football fans around Europe and especially in Portugal have reacted with a mix of outrage and relief. “It’s unthinkable that something like this could happen, especially in a place like José Alvalade,” said one Sporting CP supporter on social media. “But credit to the police for handling it so quickly.”

The theft comes at a time when women’s football is enjoying unprecedented popularity and growth, and any disruption to the visibility and promotion of the Women’s Champions League could have had wider implications. Thankfully, those concerns have now been put to rest.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of security around major sporting events, especially those involving globally recognized symbols like championship trophies. UEFA and local clubs are expected to review their security measures to avoid similar issues in the future.

The highly anticipated 2025 UEFA Women’s Champions League final is set to take place tomorrow, Saturday, May 24, at Lisbon’s Estádio José Alvalade. The match will kick off at 6:00 PM Central European Time (CET), which is 5:00 PM British Summer Time (BST). 

Match details:

• Teams: Arsenal vs. Barcelona 
• Date: Saturday, May 24, 2025
• Kick-off Time: 6:00 PM CET / 5:00 PM BST 
• Venue: Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal 

Team performance and statistics:

• Arsenal:
  
  • This is Arsenal’s first appearance in the Women’s Champions League final since their victory in 2007.  
  • Arsenal’s journey to the final included a remarkable comeback against Olympique Lyonnais, overturning a first-leg deficit with a 4-1 victory in the second leg.  
  • Forward Alessia Russo has been instrumental, scoring 12 league goals this season and sharing the Women’s Super League (WSL) Golden Boot.  
• Barcelona:
  
  • Barcelona are the reigning champions, aiming for their third consecutive Women’s Champions League title.  
  • The team has been dominant in the competition, securing an 8-2 aggregate victory over Chelsea in the semi-finals.  
  • Key players include Caroline Graham Hansen and new signing Ewa Pajor, who has scored 25 league goals and provided 10 assists this season.  

Broadcast information:

• In the United Kingdom, the final will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1 and DAZN, with DAZN also offering a free stream on YouTube.  

Historical context:

• Barcelona has previously won the Women’s Champions League three times (2021, 2023, 2024), while Arsenal has one title from 2007.
• The Estádio José Alvalade, with a capacity of over 50,000, is hosting the Women’s Champions League final for the first time.