Lionel Messi is one of the greatest players of all time, and any item that he signs is worth a lot. Messi's first contract on a napkin has become a treasure for many fans, and it will be auctioned. According to EFE Deportes and Sport, the napkin that famously secured Lionel Messi's move to FC Barcelona has been auctioned today in London with a starting price of around €350,000, which is $376,000. The historic napkin is now available for private bidders under the British auction house Bonhams. The napkin marks a historic start to Messi's legendary career, which lasted most of his career at FC Barcelona, from the youth level to the first team.
🚨💰🐐 | The napkin which famously secured Lionel Messi's move to FC Barcelona has gone up for auction today in London with a starting price of around €350,000…The historic napkin is now available for private bidders under British auction house Bonhams. Via @EFEdeportes ✅ pic.twitter.com/czHSvbr7Kl
— PSG Chief (@psg_chief) May 8, 2024
On the napkin, it reads, "In Barcelona on 14 December 2000 in the presence of Josep Minguella and Horacio, Carles Rexach, FC Barcelona's sporting director, hereby agrees, under his responsibility and regardless of any dissenting opinions, to sign the player Lionel Messi, provided that we keep to the amounts agreed upon." Messi was 13 years old when he signed the contract with Barcelona, and the rest was history.
Messi made a total of 778 appearances in all competitions with FC Barcelona. The Argentine star scored a total of 672 goals and assisted 303 goals. With FC Barcelona, the Argentine attacker won four Champions League titles, three FIFA Club World Cups, ten La Liga titles, three UEFA Super Cups, seven Copa Del Rey trophies, and eight Spanish Super Cups. Messi made his first team FC Barcelona debut on November 16th, 2003. The Argentine was 16 years old and was the youngest player to debut for the first team of Barcelona at the time.
Lionel Messi's next match for Inter Miami
Inter Miami and Messi will travel to Canada for their next game in the MLS, as they will take on CF Montreal. Inter Miami is first in the Eastern Conference with 24 points after 12 matches played, while Montreal is 11th in the league with 12 points after 10 games played. Montreal defeated Inter Miami 3-2 in their last meeting at the Chase Stadium but Messi did not play due to injury.
