Sotheby’s has announced that a remarkable set of six jerseys worn by Lionel Messi during Argentina’s victorious 2022 World Cup campaign will be auctioned in December, with an estimated value of $10 million. These iconic shirts were worn by the football star during 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.
Argentina’s triumph in Qatar marked a significant milestone in Messi’s career, as he had previously fallen short of securing the championship in four previous World Cups. If the jerseys indeed exceed the $10 million mark, this sale would become the most valuable collection of sports memorabilia ever auctioned, according to Sotheby’s.
Notably, the highest-priced individual jersey ever sold at auction was one worn by basketball legend Michael Jordan during his NBA finals run with the Chicago Bulls in 1998, fetching $10.1 million last year. Auction houses have recognized the growing market for sports memorabilia in recent years.
The jerseys being brought to auction are facilitated by US tech startup AC Momento, which specializes in assisting athletes with managing their memorabilia collections. A portion of the proceeds from the auction will be donated to the UNICAS Project, a philanthropic initiative in collaboration with a children’s hospital in Barcelona, dedicated to supporting children with rare diseases.
From November 30 to December 14, the jerseys will be available for free public viewing prior to the auction, providing an opportunity for fans and enthusiasts to appreciate these historic sporting artifacts.
