The napkin that brought 13-year-old Messi to Barcelona sold for 1.3 billion won
Messi’s ‘napkin contract’ sold in online auction for 1.3 billion won Auction company “Changes Messi’s life with FC Barcelona”
It was reported that the ‘napkin contract’ containing the first contract between soccer player Lionel Messi and FC Barcelona was sold at auction for approximately 1.3 billion won.
On the 18th, British auction house Bonhams reported that a napkin recording Messi’s first contract with Barcelona at the age of 13 was sold for 762,400 pounds in an online auction. The auction price, which started at 300,000 pounds (about 400 million won) on the 8th, tripled on the 17th.
Ian Selling, Head of Fine Books and Manuscripts at Bonhams, said: “The sale price has attracted international interest since it was first announced. An incredible result for one of the most thrilling items I own. “It’s a paper napkin, but it’s the famous napkin from the beginning of Lionel Messi’s career.”
He added: “This changed the life of Messi, the future of FC Barcelona, and played an important role in giving us some of the most glorious moments.”
The napkin contained information on December 14, 2000, when Barcelona sports director Carles Rexach and Messi’s Argentine agent Horacio Gagioli agreed to a contract with Messi. “I agree to sign Lionel Messi,” Rexach wrote in blue ink on a napkin.
Bonhams later said that there were no obstacles in recruiting Messi. Either Messi’s height was an issue or some officials at the club were unsure about investing in him.
However, Barcelona have enjoyed unprecedented success in the years since signing Messi. Barcelona won 14 trophies between 2008 and 2012, making them one of the best teams of all time. Messi scored 672 goals in 778 games for Barcelona from 2004 to 2021. He also won the Ballon d’Or, given to the world’s best player, eight times, the most in the world. 고스톱사이트
