Messi Makes History: Argentina star's World Cup jerseys set to beat Maradona to Auction throne

Messi completed football when he won the World Cup | Imago

Messi Makes History: Argentina star's World Cup jerseys set to beat Maradona to Auction throne

Ayoola Kelechi 15:39 - 14.12.2023

Lionel Messi's iconic World Cup final shirt is set to make auction history with an unprecedented estimated sale price.

Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain, Lionel Messi, is once again at the forefront of breaking records, but this time in the world of sports memorabilia.

Messi's shirts worn during the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, a tournament that saw Argentina crowned champions for the first time in 37 years, are expected to reach a groundbreaking auction fee, potentially setting a new high in sports auction history, according to World Soccer Talk.

Messi’s jersey expected to sell for World-record fee

According to Guardian Sport on X, the auction for Messi's World Cup jerseys, which includes six of the Argentina kits he wore during the 2022 World Cup, is projected to garner more than $10 million.

This anticipated amount is poised to surpass the current record for the most expensive piece of sports memorabilia sold at auction. Currently, this record is held by Michael Jordan’s jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals, which sold for $10.1 million earlier this year.

Messi set to Surpass Maradona's Record

As far as football jerseys go, the current record for the most expensive memorabilia is held by another Argentine, Diego Maradona, whose 'Hand of God' kit fetched $9.32 million last summer.

Maradona's match-worn jersey against England at the 1986 World Cup at auction | Imago
Maradona's match-worn jersey against England at the 1986 World Cup at auction | Imago

Messi's shirts, especially the one he wore during the World Cup Final against France, are expected to break this record, highlighting the immense value and historical significance attached to these items.

Messi's jersey sales to help charity for sick children

The auction for Messi's World Cup kits is being managed by Sotheby’s, where all six shirts are listed as a bundle, and the bidder will receive the entire collection.

Interestingly, each of these shirts is from the first halves of the games at the World Cup, as Messi, like many players, changes shirts at halftime. This auction commemorates Messi's incredible performance in Qatar, where he was awarded the tournament’s best player and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players of all time.

Lionel Messi showing off his rack of Qatar 2022 World Cup jerseys || Image credit: Messi(IG)
Lionel Messi showing off his rack of Qatar 2022 World Cup jerseys || Image credit: Messi(IG)

A part of the proceeds from this auction is set to go towards the UNICAS Project, an initiative led by the Barcelona Children’s Hospital Sant Joan de Jeu aimed at combating rare diseases affecting children. This move adds a philanthropic dimension to the auction, underscoring Messi's commitment to giving back to the community.

Legacy of Messi’s Jersey

The significance of these jerseys extends beyond their monetary value. They represent Messi's greatest achievement as a player, embodying his extraordinary journey in the sport.

Messi finally won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022 | Imago
Messi finally won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022 | Imago

For fans and collectors, acquiring these jerseys is not just about owning a piece of sports history but also about holding a symbol of Messi's unparalleled career and his contribution to football.

The auction of Lionel Messi's World Cup jerseys at Sotheby’s opens a new chapter in the history of sports memorabilia, blending the worlds of sports, history, and philanthropy.

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