In an auction held at Sotheby’s New York, six match-worn shirts donned by Lionel Messi during the 2022 World Cup gathered a staggering 7.8 million dollars. The collection includes Argentina jerseys worn by Messi throughout the World Cup, including the final match, where his amazing performance led to securing the famous trophy.
In Lionel Messi’s remarkable World Cup campaign, he played for an impressive 690 minutes, the highest in the tournament, while scoring 7 goals, placing him as the second-highest scorer behind Kylian Mbappe. Additionally, Messi contributed with 3 crucial assists and completed 347 passes, showcasing his all-around impact on the field.
While fans anticipated the auction to break records for game-worn sports memorabilia, it fell short of surpassing Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals jersey, which was sold for a remarkable 10.1 million dollars in a September 2022 auction. Despite missing out on claiming the top spot, the 7.8 million dollars generated from Messi’s jerseys represents a significant contribution to the Sant Joan de Déu paediatric hospital in Barcelona, after a decision made by Messi himself.
Notably, the current record for football memorabilia remains the ‘Hand of God’ match-worn by Diego Maradona kit, during the 1986 World Cup quarter-final against England. This iconic piece fetched a surprising 9.3 million dollars at a Sotheby’s London auction in May 2022.
While Messi’s jerseys didn’t secure the record, fans continue to celebrate the magic he brings to the world of MLS with Inter Miami FC. His influence goes beyond the field as he actively contributes to charity, marking another meaningful aspect of his impact.
