Lionel Messi's World Cup match jerseys are set clear the R100 million-mark at an upcoming auction, overtaking one of the greatest ever sportsman for a sport memorabilia world record.
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Lionel Messi's 2023 FIFA World Cup jerseys could become most valuable game-worn item of football memorabilia at an upcoming Sotheby's auction.
Six jerseys worn by the Argentina captain in Qatar, including during the blockbuster final against France in December last year, could fetch more than R100 million.
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Messi's World Cup jersey auction
After "completing football" and leading La Albiceleste to their third FIFA World Cup crown in Qatar in 2022, Lionel Messi's match worn jerseys are set to be put under the hammer by famous auction house, Sotheby's.
Lionel Messi won the Golden Ball in the tournament that sealed of his legacy as arguably the greatest we've ever seen, finishing the tournament with seven goals and three assists in his seven appearances.
He was one of only three Argentine stars to feature in every single minute of their campaign — 690 altogether, after two games went to extra time.
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His heroic efforts at the 2022 World Cup will likely now see his jerseys make sport memorabilia history. Sotheby's estimates the six jerseys worn by the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, including the jersey worn in the final against France, could fetch more than $10m (More than R183.7 million)
Six shirts worn by the one-and-only Lionel Messi during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar are coming to auction at Sotheby’s. This is your chance to own a piece of football history. https://t.co/RIVKdGhBFz pic.twitter.com/19N0rvSMcg
— Sotheby's (@Sothebys) November 20, 2023
As mentioned by Sky Sports, Messi's World Cup jerseys could surpass Michael Jordan's 1998 NBA Finals jersey, which sold for $10.1m (Approx. R185.4 million) at Sotheby's in New York in September last year, as the record for the most valuable match-worn item of sports memorabilia.
In terms of football memorabilia specifically, the current record for a game-worn item is $9.3m (Over R171 million), also sold 2022, an it was the jersey worn by Argentinian icon Diego Maradona during the 1986 quarter-final 2-1 victory over England, where he scored his infamous "Hand of God" goal.
Messi announced on his Instagram page that proceeds raised from the auction of his jerseys will be donated to the UNICAS Project, led by the Barcelona Children's Hospital, in order "to meet the needs of children suffering from rare diseases."
Take a scroll through the gallery to see Leo and his World Cup jerseys:
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