SUMMARY
- Messi joined Spanish giants as a kid, leaving a lasting legacy. Because of his legacy whatever the player touches turns to gold.
- Messi has auctioned multiple gear and equipment's that was used in matches including his match-worn shirt and training kits.
Lionel Messi though is renowned to be the greatest soccer player of all time. But the memories everybody holds are mainly from his days in Spain. When Messi did wonder goals for FC Barcelona even rival fans couldn’t hold back and not applaud him.
Joining the Spanish giants as a kid, Messi held an ever-present legacy. Holding illustrious moments with the Catalunians, whatever he touches tends to go on for massive sales. From his match-worn shirt to his training kits, Messi has had several pieces of equipment put up for auction. This time around it’s his first ever contract being put up for auction.
Why did 13 year old Lionel Messi sign his first FC Barcelona contract on a napkin?
The napkin with the following words written on it, “In Barcelona, on Dec. 14, 2000, in the presence of [Josep Maria] Minguella and Horacio [Gaggioli], Carles Rexach, FC Barcelona’s sporting director, hereby agrees, under his responsibility and regardless of any dissenting opinions, to sign the player Lionel Messi provided that we keep to the amounts agreed upon.” has become a significant piece of football history.
The napkin in which Leo Messi signed his first contract for FC Barcelona will be sold in auction.
— @mundodeportivo pic.twitter.com/4rAFPjdsiv
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) January 31, 2024
Carles Rexach, who was the sporting director for Barca at the time. Wrote these words in a hurry to assure Jorge Messi that the club was committed to signing his son. Minguella and Gaggioli, who were agents, signed the napkin as witnesses along with Rexach.
Lionel Messi’s father became anxious about his son’s future because of Barca’s apparent reluctance to complete the deal. There was a debate behind the scenes at Camp Nou about the merits of signing a 13-year-old. However, within minutes of watching him play during a trial game in Barcelona in September 2000, Rexach was convinced that they had to act.
When the possibility of Messi moving elsewhere arose, with the threat of Real and Atletico Madrid being offered a chance to sign him, Rexach took matters into his own hands to settle the family’s nerves. And at the end, this historic piece of napkin went on to hold a legacy never seen before.
The napkin was initially meant to go to the Barcelona Museum
Gaggioli originally had plans to donate the valuable napkin to the FC Barcelona museum. But now it is up for auction instead of being housed in a museum. This artifact is significant not only for its physicality but also for the impact it had on Messi’s career and the destiny of FC Barcelona.
Holding a historic legacy the historic contract was set up in the FC Barcelona museum. But with a certain change of mind, the momentum shifted and it got put up for sale. With the sale to proceed it has been noted the selling price is estimated to be between $380,000 to £580,000.
🕰 | FACTS | Lionel Messi signed his first contract with the Barca on a napkin when he was just 12 years old, now this napkin that was used to hire the player is displayed in the museum of the Catalan club. pic.twitter.com/5gNNUyP9GC
— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) September 11, 2018
Ian Ehling, Head of Books and Manuscripts at Bonhams in New York, expressed his excitement about the upcoming auction. Calling it one of the most thrilling items he’s handled. “This is one of the most exciting items I’ve handled. Yes, it’s a paper napkin, but it’s the famous napkin that marked the beginning of Lionel Messi’s career.”
He further added, “It changed Messi’s life, the future of FC Barcelona, and significantly contributed to creating some of the most glorious moments in football, for billions of fans worldwide.”
As the auction approaches, the football world eagerly awaits the identity of the proud owner of this historic napkin. A tangible piece of the incredible journey that led Lionel Messi to become one of the greatest footballers in history.