Six football shirts worn by Argentina’s Lionel Messi in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar have sold for $7.8 million at auction, according to AFP.
Sotheby’s advertised the sale as “Lionel Messi’s match-worn iconic light blue and white, vertical striped Argentina shirts from his historic 2022 FIFA World Cup run,” and there were three bids in total.
According to Sotheby’s, the hammer price surpassed the record for a sale of an item associated with the Argentine great and is the most valuable piece of sporting memorabilia sold at auction this year.
On December 18, 2022, Messi led Argentina to a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over France at Qatar’s 80,000-capacity Lusail stadium.
“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,” said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s head of modern collectibles.
“The sale of these six shirts is a watershed moment in auction history, providing fans and collectors with a connection to Messi’s crowning achievement.”
“It is a privilege for Sotheby’s to present and exhibit these priceless collectibles to the public, which capture the sheer brilliance of a player who has redefined the boundaries of football excellence.”
“These historic shirts are not only a tangible reminder of one of the most important moments in the history of sports, but are principally connected to the pinnacle moment in the career of the most decorated football player in history.”
Messi was voted Time magazine’s “Athlete of the Year” for 2023 earlier this month, following a record-breaking season that included an eighth Ballon d’Or award and a groundbreaking move to Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami.
Messi, 36, made his Miami debut in July after a contentious exit from Paris Saint-Germain.
The World Cup winner also turned down a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia in favor of a fresh chapter in Major League Soccer.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner had an immediate impact on Miami’s fortunes, helping the team win the expanded Leagues Cup, a cross-border competition between MLS and Mexico’s top flight.