A set of six jerseys Lionel Messi wore during Argentina’s victorious 2022 World Cup run will be auctioned in December, Sotheby’s said on Monday, estimating their value at $10 million.
The football star wore the shirts during the first halves of games against Saudi Arabia and Mexico in the group stage, as well as knockout matches against Australia, the Netherlands and Croatia – and the final against France.
Argentina’s winning run in Qatar last year was the final feather in the forward’s cap, having failed to secure the championship in four previous World Cups.
If the jerseys indeed fetch more than US$10 million, that could make the sale the most valuable collection of sports memorabilia ever auctioned off, Sotheby’s said.
“The 2022 Fifa World Cup stands as one of the greatest events in sports history, intrinsically connected to Messi’s valiant journey and firmly establishing his status as the greatest player of all time,” Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s Head of Modern Collectibles, said.
“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 most expensive individual jersey ever sold at auction was one that basketball legend Michael Jordan wore during his NBA finals run with the Chicago Bulls in 1998. It sold for US$10.1 million last year.
Auction houses have increasingly taken note of sports memorabilia in recent years, considered a growing market.
The shirts are being brought to auction by US tech start-up AC Momento, which helps athletes manage memorabilia collections.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the UNICAS Project, an initiative with a Barcelona children’s hospital that helps children with rare diseases.
The jerseys will be available for free public viewing when they are up for auction, from November 30 to December 14.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
