20th November 2023 – (London) Sotheby’s,, announced on Monday that a collection of six jerseys worn by Lionel Messi during Argentina’s triumphant 2022 World Cup campaign will be up for auction in December. The jerseys, estimated to be worth more than $10 million, hold immense historical significance as Messi led his team to victory in Qatar last year.
Messi wore these iconic shirts during pivotal moments in the tournament, including the first halves of the group-stage matches against Saudi Arabia and Mexico, as well as subsequent games against Australia, the Netherlands, Croatia, and the final against France.
According to Sotheby’s, if the jerseys do exceed the $10 million valuation, it would make this auction the most valuable sale of sports memorabilia ever recorded. The current record is held by a jersey worn by basketball legend Michael Jordan during the 1998 NBA finals with the Chicago Bulls, which sold for $10.1 million last year.
In recent years, auction houses have recognized the increasing demand for sports memorabilia, considering it as a thriving market. The emergence of these items as sought-after collectables has attracted significant attention.
The jerseys slated for auction are being presented by AC Momento, a US-based tech startup that assists athletes in managing their memorabilia collections. As part of their philanthropic efforts, a portion of the proceeds from the sale will be donated to the UNICAS Project. This initiative, in collaboration with a children’s hospital in Barcelona, supports young patients with rare diseases.
Leading up to the auction, the jerseys will be available for public viewing free of charge from 30th November to 14th December. This special exhibition allows fans and enthusiasts to appreciate the historical significance of the jerseys before they find new homes among passionate collectors.