The 2022 Qatar World Cup marked a historic chapter for Lionel Messi, solidifying his status as the greatest football player of all time. His exceptional performance throughout the campaign led to him securing his 8th Ballon d’Or. Additionally, Messi is poised to become a record-breaking jersey seller.
Not too long ago, he surpassed Tom Brady’s NFL jersey sales upon his arrival at Inter Miami. Now, he is on the verge of surpassing iconic figures like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Babe Ruth in jersey sales, further solidifying his global impact and popularity in the sports world.
Lionel Messi World Cup 2022 worn jerseys set to break records
The auction for Lionel Messi’s match-worn jerseys is considered to set new records, as a bidder promptly offers $5.2 million for six of these iconic shirts. This bid positions the collection as the third-most expensive lot in history, surpassing the value of memorabilia from sports legends such as Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Babe Ruth.
As of Thursday, The Action Network disclosed that the substantial benchmark for Lionel Messi’s kits had been established at an impressive $5.2 million, with the total bid reaching $6.3 million when accounting for the buyer’s premium. The auction, taking place at Sotheby’s in New York City, is anticipated to attract substantially higher offers as it progresses until the conclusion on December 14.
Kobe Bryant’s 2007-2008 MVP season jersey was auctioned for $5.8 million, while Babe Ruth’s 1928-1930 New York Yankees jersey and Lebron James’ 2013 NBA Finals Game 7 jersey were auctioned for $3.6 million, and Lionel Messi has beaten them all.
Considering that the auction will not be concluded until the 14th of December, there is a possibility that Lionel Messi’s World Cup jersey outprices Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ jersey, which sold for $9.3 million, and Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals jersey, which was auctioned for $10.1 million.
What was the auction price of Lionel Messi’s most expensive jersey?
Next week, a set of six jerseys worn by Lionel Messi during Argentina’s victorious World Cup campaign last year will be up for auction. These highly sought-after items are anticipated to fetch a significant sum of money. The jerseys worn by the Argentine captain throughout the month-long tournament, including the memorable final against France, are expected to receive bids exceeding $10 million. Sotheby’s anticipates this sale to be a significant milestone, as it is considered one of the “most valuable collections of sports memorabilia at auction.”
“The sale of these six shirts stands as a monumental occasion in auction history, offering fans and collectors a connection to Messi’s crowning achievement,” said Brahm Wachter, head of modern collectibles for Sotheby’s, in a press release.
“It is an honor for Sotheby’s to present and exhibit these invaluable collectables to the public, which encapsulate the sheer brilliance of a player who has redefined the boundaries of football excellence.”
Previously, Lionel Messi’s highest-priced match-worn jersey, which was sold at an auction, reached $450,000 in the previous year. The jersey in question was worn during the highly anticipated 2017 El Clasico, which featured an epic battle between Messi and Ronaldo. In this match, Messi scored the winning goal, which also marked his 500th career goal.
