Six shirts worn by Argentine superstar Lionel Messi during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar were sold for $7.8 million at a public auction. Sotheby's auction house reported to AFP that there were three total bids for what it described as "Lionel Messi's iconic light blue and white vertically striped shirts from his historic 2022 World Cup adventure," which he won for the first time in his career. The sold shirts broke the previous record for items associated with Messi (36 years old), now a star of Inter Miami. They also became the most valuable sports memorabilia sold at auction this year so far, according to Sotheby's.
Messi led Argentina to its third global title in the Qatar World Cup, defeating France 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 tie in both regular and extra time at Lusail Stadium in 2022. Brahm Wakter, head of modern collectibles at Sotheby's, stated, "The 2022 FIFA World Cup is one of the greatest events in sports history, closely connected to Messi's courageous journey and solidifying his status as the greatest player of all time." He added, "The sale of these six shirts represents a monumental occasion in auction history, providing fans and collectors a connection to Messi's achievement."
Messi scored seven goals in the Qatar World Cup, raising his total World Cup goals to 13. Wakter continued, "It is an honor for Sotheby's to present and showcase these priceless items to the public, which embody the absolute brilliance of a player who has redefined the boundaries of excellence in football. These historic shirts are not only a tangible reminder of one of the most important moments in sports history, but they are fundamentally tied to the peak moment in the career of the most decorated football player in history."
Messi tops the list of players with the most team titles, with 44 trophies, including La Liga (10 times), the UEFA Champions League (4), and the Copa America (1). Earlier this month, Messi was named "Athlete of the Year" for 2023 by Time magazine following a remarkable season featuring his eighth Ballon d'Or win and his transfer to Inter Miami from Paris Saint-Germain.
