Lionel Messi's First Barcelona Contract Napkin Sold For More Than 750,000 Pounds
According to Bonhams, the auction was held on behalf of Horacio Gaggioli, an agent from Messi's home country of Argentina who was part of the deal.
The story of Lionel Messi and FC Barcelona is something we all know about. He came to the club as a boy with a dream and left as one of the greatest football players the world has ever seen. It feels like both of them just belong together and even though it's been 3 years since the Argentine left the Catalan club, fans still dream about the day when Leo will return to the club of his life. Messi suffered from growth hormone deficiency in his childhood, and it seemed like he would not be able to fulfill his dream of becoming a professional football player.
This was when Barcelona trusted the young maestro and brought him over to Spain. Messi signed his first professional contract with FC Barcelona on a Napkin. Initially, Barca gave a verbal agreement to Messi's father, but when Jorge Messi asked for something formal, a contract was signed on a napkin, and that's how the incredible journey of Lionel Messi started at FC Barcelona.
Now this famous napkin that initially linked Messi and FC Barcelona together was sold for 965,000 US dollars (762,400 pounds) on Friday at the British Auction House in Bonhams. According to Bonhams, the auction was held on behalf of Horacio Gaggioli, an agent from Messi's home country of Argentina who was part of the deal.
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The starting price of this iconic napkin was 300,000 pounds or 379,000 USD. Lionel Messi parted ways with FC Barcelona in 2021 when the club failed to renew his contract because of their troublesome financial condition. Messi was heartbroken by this outcome, and he had to move to the French club, Paris Saint-Germain.
He then went on to win the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022. Lionel Messi is currently entertaining fans with his magic in the USA with Inter Miami. FC Barcelona, on the other hand, is also adjusting to its life post-Messi and is progressing well.
