Sotheby’s has listed six game-worn jerseys from Lionel Messi’s matches during the 2022 World Cup for auction, with expectations of bringing in $10 million. The jerseys are size medium and were worn in two of Argentina’s group stage matches, as well as the team’s Round of 16, quarterfinal, semifinal, and championship rounds.
After a surprising defeat against Saudi Arabia in the first match, Messi’s Argentina squad won their next six matches, securing the nation’s first World Cup title since 1986. Messi scored seven goals during the seven contests, bringing his total World Cup goals to 13 and placing him as the fourth-leading scorer in the tournament’s history.
Sotheby’s described the match-worn shirts as artifacts of Messi’s legacy, symbolizing the culmination of a career filled with hard work and an undying passion for the game. The auction for his jersey is set to begin later this month.
Since joining Inter Miami after the World Cup, Messi has significantly boosted attention to Major League Soccer (MLS), leading to a significant increase in ticket prices for both home and away games. His impact on the MLS was further recognized when he became the first active player in a U.S. league to win FIFA’s Ballon d’Or as the world’s best footballer, marking his eighth time winning the award earlier this year.