A set of six jerseys worn by football icon Lionel Messi during Argentina’s victorious 2022 World Cup campaign are set for auction, Sotheby’s announced on Monday.
The estimated value of these jerseys is $10 million.
Messi showcased these shirts during pivotal moments in the tournament, including the first halves of group-stage matches against Saudi Arabia and Mexico.
He continued to wear them in later clashes against Australia, the Netherlands, Croatia, and ultimately in the final against France.
Argentina’s winning run in Qatar last year was the final feather in the forward’s cap, having failed to secure the championship in four previous World Cups.
If the jerseys indeed fetch above $10 million, that could make the sale the most valuable collection of sports memorabilia ever auctioned off, Sotheby’s said.
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The most expensive individual jersey ever sold at auction was one that basketball legend Michael Jordan wore during his NBA finals run with the Chicago Bulls in 1998.
It sold for $10.1 million last year.
Auction houses have increasingly taken note of sports memorabilia in recent years, considered a growing market.
The shirts are being brought to auction by US tech startup AC Momento, which helps athletes manage memorabilia collections.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the UNICAS Project, an initiative with a Barcelona children’s hospital that helps kids with rare diseases.
The jerseys will be available for free public viewing when they are up for auction, from November 30 to December 14.