Six Lionel Messi World Cup Jerseys Smash Records, Sell for $7.8 Million at New York Auction

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Six jerseys worn by football superstar Lionel Messi during Argentina's triumph in the 2022 FIFA World Cup were successfully auctioned at Sotheby's for an impressive $7.8 million. Each jersey, worn in the first halves of different games, fetched the highest price for sports memorabilia in the current year.

The pinnacle of this sporting achievement was Argentina's victory over France in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw in the final, where Messi contributed by scoring two of Argentina's three goals.

This marked a historic moment not only in sports history but also in the extraordinary career of Messi, considered one of the greatest football players of all time.

Brahm Wachter, Sotheby's head of modern collectibles, emphasized the shirts' significance as tangible reminders of a crucial sports moment and their deep connection to the most decorated football player in history.

The 36-year-old Messi, currently playing for Inter Miami in the MLS, spent an impressive 17 years at Barcelona, where he achieved numerous accolades, including winning the Ballon d'Or a record eight times.

The two-week online auction took place at Sotheby's New York headquarters, concluding with the sale of the historic jerseys.

While there was hope that these Messi shirts might set a new auction record for game-worn sports memorabilia, they fell short of surpassing the current record held by Michael Jordan's 1998 NBA Finals jersey, which sold for $10.1 million at Sotheby's in New York last year.

Despite missing the record mark, a portion of the proceeds from the Messi shirts auction will be donated to the UNICAS Project. This initiative, led by Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona Children's Hospital with support from the Leo Messi Foundation, aims to aid children suffering from rare diseases.

The winning bidder's information was not disclosed, adding an air of mystery to this significant acquisition of football memorabilia. The auction underscores not only the enduring popularity of Messi but also the broader global fascination with sports history and the tangible artifacts associated with it.