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A set of six uniforms worn by Lionel Messi when Argentina won last year’s World Cup sold for $7.8 million at auction on Thursday, making it the second kit ever sold at auction, Sotheby’s said. The item was highly valued and became the highest ever sold for a Messi item.
important facts
A set of blue and white striped shirts (including one jersey worn in the World Cup final) sold for $7.803 million, according to New York City-based auction house Sotheby’s.
The set includes six of the seven jerseys worn by Messi in the first half of last year’s World Cup match, with the only ones missing being the first half jersey from Argentina’s final group stage match against Poland and the second half. Just the uniform he wore. Sotheby’s said they were likely traded to rivals.
Sotheby’s expected the jersey to break the record held by Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals jersey, which sold for $10.1 million last year.
The second most expensive jersey at auction was Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal jersey worn during the 1986 World Cup, which sold for $9.28 million in May 2022.
According to ESPN, the previous record for the most valuable Messi item sold at auction was the shirt he wore during the 2017 match between Barcelona and Real Madrid.
amazing facts
Items other than sports cards rarely fetch more than $5 million at auction. A jersey worn by Babe Ruth from 1928 to 1930 was sold for $5.64 million in June 2019. The 1982 Olympic Games manifesto was sold for $8.8 million that same year. Earlier this year, LeBron James’ 2013 NBA Finals jersey and Kobe Bryant’s MVP season jersey sold for $3.6 million and $5.8 million, respectively.
Main background
Messi, 36, scored twice in Argentina’s win over France in the 2022 World Cup final. Messi played for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain during his 20-year career before signing with MLS side Inter Miami. He has won the Ballon d’Or award, which is awarded annually to the world’s best footballer, a record eight times, and holds several European goalscoring records.
Forbes rating
According to our latest estimates, Messi is the second highest paid athlete in the world with a net worth of $130 million. Messi, who has lifetime contracts with Adidas and his own clothing line, is the highest-paid player in MLS, with his annual salary of $20.4 million.
References
LeBron James’ jersey used in the 2013 NBA Finals sells at auction for $3.6 million (forbes)
Kobe Bryant’s MVP jersey sold for $5.8 million – second most valuable jersey of all time (forbes)
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