In a groundbreaking auction, six of Lionel Messi’s iconic Argentina shirts from the 2022 World Cup, including the final against France, are set to go under the hammer at Sotheby’s in New York.
The collection, featuring jerseys from crucial matches, is expected to fetch a world-record sale of over £8 million, with a portion of the proceeds designated for charity.
The shirts on auction include those worn during the final, semi-final against Croatia, quarter-final against Netherlands, round-of-16 match versus Australia, and two of the three group-stage games.
The estimated price tag of at least $10 million (£8 million) would mark a new record for a ‘sports memorabilia collection,’ surpassing the previous benchmark held by Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls jersey.
Sotheby’s Brahm Wachter emphasized the historical significance of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and Messi’s exceptional journey, declaring it a monumental occasion in auction history.
The auction offers fans and collectors a unique connection to Messi’s crowning achievement, symbolizing his unparalleled contribution to football.
The current record for one of Messi’s jerseys is £360,000, from the 2017 El Clásico, but this collection is poised to exceed the £7.1 million paid for Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ jersey.
Messi’s two goals in the 2022 World Cup final solidified his status as one of the greatest players, and the auction allows enthusiasts to own a piece of football history.
The auction, facilitated by tech startup AC Momento, partners with high-profile athletes like Messi to manage their match-worn memorabilia collections.
A significant portion of the auction proceeds will be donated to the UNICAS Project, benefiting children with rare diseases, in collaboration with the Leo Messi Foundation and Sant Joan de Déu (SJD) Barcelona Children’s Hospital.
Sports fans and collectors will have the opportunity to view the historic jerseys at Sotheby’s New York in a free, public exhibition from November 30 to December 14, coinciding with the bidding period.
The anticipation is high as Messi’s World Cup jerseys create a buzz in the sports memorabilia market, promising a record-breaking auction.