The napkin that Lionel Messi signed his first Barcelona contract on has sold for just under $1million, according to reports.
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Napkin used as first Messi contractHeld by agent for 25 yearsSells for just under $1m at auctionGettyWHAT HAPPENED?
According to auction house Bonhams, the napkin that Messi used to ink his first long-term deal with the Catalan club sold for $965,000 (£762,400) this week.
An agreement was reached for Messi, who was 13 at the time of the napkin being signed, while the two parties negotiated at a local tennis club.
AdvertisementGetty THE BIGGER PICTURE
The auction house went on to state that the napkin was sourced from Horacio Gaggioli, who is an Argentinian agent who was part of the deal.
The details were written in blue ink and were done quickly to reassure Messi's father, Jorge Messi, that a deal would be completed.
The 66-year-old previously threatened to return to Argentina with his son, 25 years ago when it took place after negotiations stalled with the La Liga giants.
The napkin was signed December 14, 2000, and has the signatures of Gaggioli, another agent, Josep Maria Minguella and Barcelona’s sporting director at the time, Carles Rexach,
WHAT IT SAID
The napkin read: “In Barcelona, on December 14, 2000, and in the presence of the gentleman (the agent, Josep Maria) Minguella and Horacio (Gaggioli), Carles Rexach, technical secretary of FCB, commits under his responsibility, despite the opinion of others who are against signing Lionel Messi, as long as the agreed fees are maintained.”
“This is one of the most thrilling items I have ever handled,” Ian Ehling, head of fine books and manuscripts at Bonhams New York said after the auction via The Athletic. “Yes, it’s a paper napkin, but it’s the famous napkin that was at the inception of Lionel Messi’s career.
“It changed the life of Messi, the future of FC Barcelona, and was instrumental in giving some of the most glorious moments of football to billions of fans around the globe.”
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?
Messi left Barcelona back in 2021 despite agreeing a new deal with the Catalan club. Barcelona reportedly couldn't afford to register the Argentinian legend, which led to him moving to Paris Saint-Germain.
The 2022 World Cup winner now plays in the MLS with Inter Miami, with their next fixture arriving on Sunday against DC United.