NEW YORK – A set of six jerseys that Lionel Messi wore during Argentina’s victorious 2022 World Cup run in Qatar will be auctioned in December, Sotheby’s announced, estimating their value at more than US$10 million (S$13.4 million).
The 36-year-old football great donned these shirts during the first halves of the group-stage matches against Saudi Arabia and Mexico, as well as knockout games against Australia, the Netherlands and Croatia – and the final against France.
Argentina won the title decider – and the country’s third World Cup – in a penalty shoot-out victory over Les Bleus after a 3-3 draw in which Messi scored two goals.
The forward, who has eight Ballon d’Or trophies, had won the World Cup for the first time in his fifth appearance to finally own the only major piece of silverware to elude him.
If the jerseys indeed fetch above US$10 million, that could make the sale the most valuable collection of sports memorabilia ever auctioned off, Sotheby’s added.
“The extraordinary collection is estimated in excess of US$10 million,” the auction house said in a statement on Nov 20.
“The sale of these six shirts stands as a monumental occasion in auction history, offering fans and collectors a connection to Messi’s crowning achievement.
“It is an honour for Sotheby’s to present and exhibit these invaluable collectibles to the public, which encapsulate the sheer brilliance of a player who has redefined the boundaries of football excellence.”
The statement added: “A portion of the proceeds from the auction will be donated to Unicas Project, led by Sant Joan de Deu (SJD) Barcelona Children’s Hospital with the support of Leo Messi Foundation, to meet the needs of children suffering from rare diseases.”
Sotheby’s declined to reveal how much exactly of the proceeds would be donated to charity when contacted by Reuters.
Bidding for the white and sky blue shirts will be open from Nov 30 to Dec 14, coinciding with a public exhibition to showcase the collection.
According to CNN Business, the most expensive match-worn Messi jersey sold at auction to date was for US$450,000 in 2022, one which he wore in the 2017 Spanish La Liga El Clasico, between his former Barcelona side against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid.
The current record for a match-worn item of football memorabilia is held by the late Diego Maradona and his “Hand of God” shirt he wore against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals that Sotheby’s sold for US$9.3 million in 2022.
The most expensive individual jersey ever sold at auction was one that basketball legend Michael Jordan wore during his National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals run with the Chicago Bulls in 1998.
It sold for US$10.1 million, also in 2022.
In recent years, auction houses have increasingly taken note of sports memorabilia, considered a growing market.
The shirts are being brought to auction by US tech startup AC Momento, which helps athletes manage memorabilia collections. AFP, REUTERS
