In a historic auction, Sotheby’s has revealed that six jerseys worn by soccer legend Lionel Messi during Argentina’s triumphant 2022 World Cup campaign were sold for a staggering $7.8 million on Thursday.
These jerseys, each worn in the first half of different games, set a new benchmark as the highest price for sports memorabilia this year.
“The final price for the shirts, each worn during the first half of one of Argentina’s games at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, is the highest price for an item of sports memorabilia this year,” Sotheby disclosed.
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Argentina defeated France in a penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw in the World Cup final, winning its third World Cup.
The victory, in which Messi scored two of Argentina’s three goals, represented a crowning moment for one of the sport’s greatest-ever players.The victory marked Argentina’s third World Cup title and stood as a defining moment in Messi’s illustrious career.
Sotheby’s Head of Modern Collectibles, Brahm Wachter, emphasized the significance of these shirts, stating, “These historic shirts are not only a tangible reminder of one of the most important moments in the history of sports, but are principally connected to the pinnacle moment in the career of the most decorated football player in history.”
The jerseys were showcased at Sotheby’s New York headquarters throughout the two-week online auction, which concluded on Thursday.
However, the winning bidder’s identity remains undisclosed.
Sotheby’s announced that a portion of the auction proceeds will be donated to the UNICAS Project, led by Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona Children’s Hospital with the support of the Leo Messi Foundation, aimed at assisting children suffering from rare diseases.
Source:AFP