Six jerseys worn by Lionel Messi during Argentina’s victorious 2022 World Cup run will be auctioned in December, Sotheby’s announced Monday, estimating their value at more than $10 million.
Gatekeepers News reports that the football star donned these shirts during the first halves of the group-stage rounds against Saudi Arabia and Mexico, as well as later games against Australia, the Netherlands and Croatia — and the final against France.
Argentina’s winning run in Qatar last year was the final feather in the forward’s cap, having failed to secure the championship in four previous World Cups.
If the jerseys indeed fetch above $10 million, that could make the sale the most valuable collection of sports memorabilia ever auctioned off, Sotheby’s said.
The most expensive individual jersey ever sold at auction was one that basketball legend Michael Jordan wore during his NBA finals run with the Chicago Bulls in 1998.
This undated photo courtesy of Sotheby’s shows Lionel Messi’s set of six match worn shirts from the 2022 FIFA World Cup. A set of six shirts worn by Lionel Messi during Argentina’s victorious run to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be auctioned off in December, Sotheby’s announced November 20, estimating their value at over $10 million.
Auction houses have increasingly taken note of sports memorabilia in recent years, considered a growing market.
The shirts are being brought to auction by US tech startup AC Momento, which helps athletes manage memorabilia collections.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the UNICAS Project, an initiative with a Barcelona children’s hospital that helps kids with rare diseases.
The jerseys will be available for free public viewing when they are up for auction, from November 30 to December 14.
