Prices for a set of Messi’s World Cup jerseys could exceed a record $10 million

Lionel Messi during the trophy ceremony at the end of the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France last year.Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP/Getty ImagesNew YorkCNN —

Soccer superstar Lionel Messi is no stranger to breaking records, and he’s about to possibly add another to his list.

A set of six jerseys that he wore during last year’s World Cup, which his home country of Argentina won, are being put up for auction by Sotheby’s next week. Specifically, the jerseys were worn by the Argentine captain during each stage of the month-long tournament, including the massive final against France.

The auction house expects bids to be in excess of $10 million, with the sale poised to becoming one of the “most valuable collection of sports memorabilia at auction,” it said.

If achieved, the price for the set would surpass a jersey worn by Michael Jordan in Game 1 of the 1998 NBA Final from his famous “Last Dance” season, which sold for $10.1 million at Sotheby’s last year. That shirt currently holds the world record title of being the “most valuable item of sports memorabilia ever sold at auction,” according to the auction house.

The current record for a match-worn item of soccer memorabilia is held by legend Diego Maradona and his “Hand of God” shirt that Sotheby’s sold for $9.3 million last year. Bids were initially expected to range from $5 million to $7 million, perhaps signaling that Messi’s jersey prices could go higher.

“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,” said Brahm Wachter, head of modern collectibles for Sotheby’s, in a release. “It is an honor for Sotheby’s to present and exhibit these invaluable collectables to the public, which encapsulate the sheer brilliance of a player who has redefined the boundaries of football excellence.”

To date, the most expensive match-worn Messi jersey sold at auction was for $450,000 last year, which he wore during the 2017 El Clásico, a tense battle between his former team of FC Barcelona against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid. Messi’s last-minute goal, the 500th of his career, was the match winner.

The online auction for Messi’s jerseys runs from November 30 to December 14 and will be displayed during that time in a free exhibition at Sotheby’s gallery in New York.

Sotheby’s added that the Messi auction comes during a “vigorous market for sports memorabilia and collectibles, fueled by the property and unique experiences it offers.” Similar auctions, including jerseys from NFL great Tom Brady and the late NBA player Kobe Bryant, are luring in younger bidders too, half of them being under 40 years old, with more than half entirely new to its sales, the company said.

Messi, 36, joined MLS team Inter Miami earlier this year, ending a roughly two-decade long stint playing for European teams, notably Barcelona and most recently Paris Saint-Germain. His appearances sent MLS ticket prices skyrocketing and fans had trouble getting their hands on replica jerseys for several months.

Last year in Qatar, Messi helped his country of Argentina win its third FIFA World Cup title (and his first) by beating France via a penalty shootout in one of the most thrilling finals in tournament history. Adidas said that his jerseys and Argentina team kits quickly sold out.

Related Posts

TRIBAL WOMEN’S RESCUE! Prabhas vs. Vishnu | Salaar Movie Scene | Hombale Films

The story follows Salaar, played by Prabhas, a mysterious man with a dark past, on his journey to avenge the death of his loved ones. With a…

Vidaa Muyarchi – Official Trailer | Ajith Kumar, Trisha, Sanjay Dutt | Magizh Thirumeni (Fan-Made)

“Vidaamuyarchi Notion” is a captivating action film from India that captures the attention of viewers throughout its runtime. The narrative focuses on the intense struggle of the…

The Curse of The Necklace | Official 4K Trailer | Warner Bros. Entertainment

The Davis family is going through some tough times in 1960: LAURA (Sarah Lind) and FRANK (Henry Thomas) have separated because after years of Frank’s unpredictable alcohol…

‘The Rule of Jenny Pen’ – Stephen King Recommends This Horror Movie Releasing in 2025

When Stephen King takes to Twitter to rave about a horror movie, horror fans across the world scramble to get their hands on it. The latest King-approved horror movie…

UNDERWORLD 6: Rise of the Vampire – Official Trailer 2025 | Sony Pictures Movies | Kate Beckinsale

Underworld is an American action horror film series created by Kevin Grevioux, Len Wiseman, and Danny McBride. It follows characters who are caught up in a war…

“𝐀𝐝𝐢𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐡 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐫: 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐡𝐚𝐬, 𝐒𝐚𝐢𝐟 𝐀𝐥𝐢 𝐊𝐡𝐚𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐊𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧 – 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐎𝐦 𝐑𝐚𝐮𝐭”

Adipurush is an epic cinematic adaptation that brings the legendary tale of the Ramayana to life, delivering an emotionally powerful and dramatic experience for audiences. The narrative…