Sotheby announced on Monday that a collection of six jerseys worn by Lionel Messi during Argentina’s victorious 2022 World Cup campaign will be auctioned in December, with an estimated value of $10 million.
These jerseys were worn by the football star in the first halves of matches against Saudi Arabia and Mexico during the group stages, as well as in later games against Australia, the Netherlands, and Croatia.
They were also worn in the final against France. Argentina’s triumph in Qatar last year was a significant achievement for Messi, who had previously been unsuccessful in securing the championship in four previous World Cups.
If the jerseys do indeed fetch over $10 million, it would make this sale the most valuable collection of sports memorabilia ever auctioned, according to Sotheby’s.
The most expensive individual jersey ever sold at auction was one worn by basketball legend Michael Jordan during his NBA finals run with the Chicago Bulls in 1998, which 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.
