Football

Lionel Messi's Napkin Contract with Barcelona Fetches Record-Breaking SumThe iconic napkin that served as the initial agreement between a young Lionel Messi and FC Barcelona has been sold at auction for a staggering 762,400 pounds (USD 965,000). The sale, conducted by British auction house Bonhams, marks a significant moment in sports memorabilia history.The napkin, bearing the date December 14, 2000, was used to draft a preliminary agreement to sign the then-13-year-old Messi. The contract was written in blue ink by Horacio Gaggioli, an agent from Messi's native Argentina, and signed by Gaggioli, another agent, Josep Maria Minguella, and Barcelona's then-sporting director, Carles Rexach.The napkin was intended to reassure Messi's father, Jorge Messi, that the deal would go through after negotiations with Barcelona had stalled. Jorge Messi had threatened to take his son back to Argentina if the club did not commit to signing him.The napkin contract was followed by a more formal and detailed contract with Barcelona. Messi went on to spend nearly two decades with the Catalan giants, making his first-team debut in 2004 and playing 17 seasons with the main squad. He helped the club win every major trophy, including the Champions League four times and the Spanish league 10 times.The sale of the napkin contract has generated significant interest among collectors and sports enthusiasts. The starting price was 300,000 pounds (USD 379,000), but the final bid far exceeded expectations. An undisclosed percentage of the sale price will be paid as administrative fees for the online auction.The sale of the napkin contract is a testament to the enduring legacy of Lionel Messi, one of the greatest footballers of all time. It also highlights the value and significance of sports memorabilia, which can capture and preserve the history of iconic moments in sports.

Lionel Messi's napkin, a relic from his humble beginnings, is set to fetch a staggering sum at auction. The napkin, estimated to sell for between $380,000 and $635,000, bears the handwritten promise of a contract made to the 13-year-old Messi by FC Barcelona's sporting director, Carles Rexach.The napkin, which has been on display in New York, serves as a testament to Messi's extraordinary journey from a working-class family in Rosario, Argentina, to becoming one of the greatest footballers of all time. In 2000, Messi's talent caught the attention of Barcelona scouts, but the club's hesitation to sign him outright led to a protracted negotiation.On December 14, 2000, at a Barcelona tennis club, Rexach, under pressure from Messi's father, scribbled the promise on the napkin. The napkin became a placeholder agreement until a formal contract could be drawn up.Messi's subsequent career at Barcelona was nothing short of legendary. He won the Spanish league 10 times, becoming the club's all-time top scorer with 474 goals. His departure from Barcelona in 2021 marked the end of an era, but his legacy at the club remains unparalleled.The napkin, which has been kept by Argentine agent Horacio Gaggioli for almost 25 years, is now being auctioned off. The sale has generated immense interest, with experts predicting it could sell for much more than the estimated price.The auction, which will run until March 27, will be held in New York, Paris, and London. The napkin is expected to attract bids from collectors and football enthusiasts alike, eager to own a piece of Messi's remarkable history.