Lionel Messi’s World Cup match jerseys, including the kit worn during the iconic final against France, are poised to be auctioned for £8 million.
Sotheby’s in New York is auctioning six jerseys from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Argentina triumphed over France in a penalty shootout to secure the trophy. The shirts encompass matches from the final’s first half, the semi-final against Croatia, the quarter-final against the Netherlands, the round-of-16 match versus Australia, and two group-stage games. A portion of the proceeds will go to charity, and the collection is estimated to be valued at a minimum of $10 million (£8 million), potentially setting a record for ‘sports memorabilia collection.’
For context, the current record for sports memorabilia is held by Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals Game 1, which sold for £8.1 million in September of the previous year at Sotheby’s New York.
Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s head of modern collectibles, remarked, “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. 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 honor 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.”
