{"id":105032,"date":"2025-05-22T09:12:42","date_gmt":"2025-05-22T13:12:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/?p=105032"},"modified":"2025-05-22T09:12:43","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T13:12:43","slug":"the-messi-grail-returns-a-legendary-chase-continues-in-2024-25-topps-chrome-ucc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/uk\/the-messi-grail-returns-a-legendary-chase-continues-in-2024-25-topps-chrome-ucc\/","title":{"rendered":"The Messi Grail Returns | A Legendary Chase Continues in 2024-25 Topps Chrome\u00ae UCC"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"hero-container hero-image-container\" id=\"hero-image-container\">\n  <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"hero-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-16-at-10.50.56\u202fAM-png.webp\" \/>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Discover the 2024-25 Topps Chrome\u00ae UCC Messi Grail Card<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block stats-box-container\">\n\t<div id=\"stats-boxblock_5c745aff8fbb2156a0d899af0b787fcd\" class=\"wp-block stats-box stats-box-post\">\n\t\t<div class=\"stats-box-column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"stats-box-date stats-box-stat\"><span class=\"stats-box-header\">Date:<\/span> May 22, 2025<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"stats-box-column\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"stats-box-length stats-box-stat\"><span class=\"stats-box-header\">Length:<\/span> 531 \tWords<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"stats-box-reading-time stats-box-stat\"><span class=\"stats-box-header\">Reading Time:<\/span> ~3 Minutes<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.topps.com\/pages\/topps-chrome-uefa-club-competitions?utm_source=RIPPED&amp;utm_medium=site&amp;utm_id=UCCChrome\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"424\" src=\"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-05-16-at-11.07.37\u202fAM-1024x424.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-104330\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-05-16-at-11.07.37\u202fAM-1024x424.webp 1024w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-05-16-at-11.07.37\u202fAM-300x124.webp 300w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-05-16-at-11.07.37\u202fAM-210x87.webp 210w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-05-16-at-11.07.37\u202fAM-768x318.webp 768w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-05-16-at-11.07.37\u202fAM-png.webp 1197w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>For the 2024-25 Topps Chrome\u00ae UCC release, few cards carry the weight, ambition, and artistry of The Messi Grail. Designed as a nine-card subset that forms a single panoramic image, this collectible centerpiece honors Lionel Messi not just as a player, but as a legend whose legacy transcends clubs, borders, and eras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"667\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/messigrail-667x1024.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-104299\" style=\"object-fit:contain;width:300px;height:420px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/messigrail-667x1024.webp 667w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/messigrail-195x300.webp 195w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/messigrail-98x150.webp 98w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/messigrail-768x1180.webp 768w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/messigrail-1000x1536.webp 1000w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/messigrail.webp 1116w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Making its much-anticipated second appearance, Grail no. 7 in the nine-card Grail sequence can now be found in 2024-25 Topps Chrome\u00ae UCC. This marks a pivotal moment in The Grail chase \u2014 a thrilling journey that spans multiple Topps football products across 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/the-grail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-16-at-10.57.59\u202fAM-1024x667.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-104326\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-16-at-10.57.59\u202fAM-1024x667.webp 1024w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-16-at-10.57.59\u202fAM-300x196.webp 300w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-16-at-10.57.59\u202fAM-210x137.webp 210w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-16-at-10.57.59\u202fAM-768x501.webp 768w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-16-at-10.57.59\u202fAM-1536x1001.webp 1536w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-16-at-10.57.59\u202fAM-png.webp 1660w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><br>To redeem your code and create your profile for The Messi Grail, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/the-grail\">The Grail page<\/a> and get in on the action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the core of the design is a golden chalice, symbolizing the \u201cgrail\u201d Messi has become in the world of football. The stained glass backdrop evokes a sacred space, framing Messi in a burst of color, energy, and reverence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhen designing The Grail, we play off of the idea of rarity of skill and talent of our featured athlete,\u201d said Topps Art Director Ryan Lee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each of the nine cards connects seamlessly, but they also function as standalone pieces of art. That duality was Lee\u2019s favorite part of the project. \u201cThe opportunity to create a nine-card subset that combines into a single image makes for a fun, creative challenge,\u201d he said. \u201cWhile we design The Grail as a whole, the challenge of making sure any one of these nine cards still makes for a compelling design by itself helps to push my creativity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Color plays a central role in telling Messi\u2019s story across this subset. Every panel was designed to align with the team he\u2019s representing. \u201cThe colors of the stained glass backgrounds are designed to complement the team colors worn by Messi,\u201d Lee explained. \u201cWe have red and blue panels for his FC Barcelona imagery, green and blue panels to contrast against his PSG kit, and light blue and yellow panels to contrast against his Inter Miami CF kit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With Topps Chrome technology enhancing the print finish, color saturation and contrast become even more important. \u201cColor contrast examples are blue and red, green and red, and blue and yellow. Colors that contrast together to create a more dynamic color palette,\u201d said Lee. These bold combinations keep Messi visually centered while allowing the background to glow and shift depending on the lighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Depth is built through light and shadow, giving dimension to the design. \u201cOur brains naturally perceive things that are darker to be further away,\u201d Lee said. \u201cSo by having items progressively casting shadows on elements that are to be perceived as further away, we build in dynamic depth into a flat trading card.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the 2024-25 Topps Chrome\u00ae UCC release, card no. 7 is here. Two cards have now surfaced \u2014 seven remain. Each card contributes to a greater story. Each detail points back to one truth: Messi is the grail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.topps.com\/pages\/topps-chrome-uefa-club-competitions?utm_source=RIPPED&amp;utm_medium=site&amp;utm_id=UCCChrome\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"424\" src=\"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-05-16-at-11.07.37\u202fAM-1024x424.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-104330\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-05-16-at-11.07.37\u202fAM-1024x424.webp 1024w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-05-16-at-11.07.37\u202fAM-300x124.webp 300w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-05-16-at-11.07.37\u202fAM-210x87.webp 210w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-05-16-at-11.07.37\u202fAM-768x318.webp 768w, https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-05-16-at-11.07.37\u202fAM-png.webp 1197w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">More 2024-25 Topps Chrome UCC<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/uk\/how-to-collect-2024-25-topps-chrome-ucc-lamine-yamal-cards\/\">How to Collect | 2024-25 Topps Chrome\u00ae UCC Lamine Yamal Cards<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/uk\/how-to-collect-2024-25-topps-chrome-ucc-kylian-mbappe-cards\/\">How to Collect | 2024-25 Topps Chrome\u00ae\u00a0UCC Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 Cards<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/uk\/how-to-collect-2024-25-topps-chrome-ucc-quad-autos\/\">How to Collect | 2024-25 Topps Chrome UCC Quad Autos<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discover the Messi Grail<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":104321,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"mc4wp_mailchimp_campaign":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[9230,9229],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-105032","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-football-3","category-new-releases"],"acf":{"color_theme":"rgba(255,80,119,1)"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105032","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=105032"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105032\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/104321"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=105032"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=105032"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ripped.topps.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=105032"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}