Messi's First Contract On A Napkin Fetches Nearly $1 Million In Auction

In a remarkable event that blends the worlds of sports history and memorabilia, a napkin that played a pivotal role in the early career of football legend Lionel Messi has been auctioned for a staggering $965,000. This unique piece of sports history, which marked Messi's initial agreement with FC Barcelona at the tender age of 13, was sold this week by the esteemed auction house Bonhams.

The deal that would eventually lead Messi to become Barcelona's all-time leading goalscorer was scribbled on what has been described as a 'standard Spanish waxy napkin,' measuring 16.5 x 16.5cm. This piece of memorabilia, signed in December 2000, was laminated and framed for the auction. The napkin bore signatures from then Barcelona director Carles Rexach, transfer adviser Josep Minguella, and agent Horacio Gaggioli, who was instrumental in bringing the Argentine prodigy to the club's attention.

The bidding for this extraordinary item started at £300,000, according to reports from the BBC. The napkin, now framed, encapsulates a pivotal moment not only in Messi's career but in football history, representing the humble beginnings of a player many consider to be the greatest of all time.

Messi's association with Barcelona began a month after the agreement on the napkin, leading him to score a record 672 goals in 778 games for the club. Throughout his time at Barcelona, Messi clinched 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies before moving to Paris St-Germain in 2021. The 36-year-old World Cup winner currently plays for Inter Miami.

The backstory of the napkin is as intriguing as the auction itself. It was signed at a lunch meeting arranged by Rexach in response to the Messi family's concerns about the lack of a formal offer from Barcelona after Lionel's initial trial. The text on the napkin, translated to English, is a commitment from Rexach to sign Messi, emphasizing the significance of this agreement.

Ian Ehling, head of fine books and manuscripts at Bonhams New York, expressed his excitement about the auction, noting the international attention it garnered. He highlighted the significance of the napkin, not just as a piece of memorabilia, but as a document that changed Messi's life, the future of FC Barcelona, and provided unforgettable moments to football fans worldwide.

Bonhams also addressed concerns raised in March regarding the napkin's ownership. The auction house assured that the consignor had received legal confirmation under Spanish law of their clear title and right to sell, providing a full warranty of title with the sale.

This sale underscores the immense value and emotional connection fans and collectors have with sports memorabilia, especially items linked to players of Messi's calibre. The napkin's auction not only highlights Messi's storied career but also the significant moments off the pitch that have contributed to football's rich history.