Football Legend Lionel Messi’s Napkin Sold for Nearly $1,000,000

Fragment of Lionel Messi’s Historic Napkin © Bonhams

A pivotal document in football history, the napkin on which the first promise of a contract was written to secure 13-year-old Lionel Messi for FC Barcelona, sold for £762,000 ($964,000) at Bonhams in an online auction that was held this May 17, 2024. The auction began with a starting price of £300,000 ($380,000).

This napkin significantly impacted both the club and Messi, who went on to become one of the greatest footballers of all time. The original napkin, written in blue ink, was offered by Argentine agent Horacio Gaggioli.

Ian Ehling, Head of Fine Books and Manuscripts at Bonhams New York, remarked, “Since the sale was first announced, it captured international attention. Fans around the world have anticipated this day. It’s a wonderful result for one of the most thrilling items I have ever handled. Yes, it’s a paper napkin, but it’s the famous napkin that marked the inception of Lionel Messi’s career. It changed Messi’s life, the future of FC Barcelona, and provided some of the most glorious moments of football to billions of fans worldwide.”

The commitment on the napkin was written in blue ballpoint pen by Carles Rexach, Barcelona’s Sporting Director. It stated:

“In Barcelona, on 14 December 2000 and in the presence of Messrs. Minguella and Horacio, 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.”

“En Barcelona, a 14 de diciembre del 2000 y en presencia de los Sres. Minguella y Horacio, Carles Rexach, secretario técnico del FC Barcelona, se compromete bajo su responsabilidad y a pesar de algunas opiniones en contra a fichar al jugador Lionel Messi siempre y cuando nos mantengamos en las cantidades acordadas”

The statement was signed by Carles Rexach, Josep Minguella, the transfer advisor to the club who helped arrange Messi’s tryout in September 2000, and Horacio Gaggioli, the Argentine agent who brought Messi to Rexach’s attention.

Messi’s recruitment faced several challenges, including concerns about his height and the investment required for a 13-year-old. Born in 1987 in Rosario, Argentina, Messi’s prodigious talents were evident early on. FC Barcelona scouted him while he was playing for his local club, Newell’s Old Boys, at the age of 12. Despite a successful tryout, negotiations stalled due to doubts among the club’s hierarchy about Messi’s potential, particularly because of his height.

By December 2000, Messi’s father, Jorge, had grown impatient with the lack of commitment from the club. On December 14, Rexach, Minguella, and Gaggioli met for lunch at the Pompeia tennis club. Sensing the urgency, Rexach pulled a napkin from the table’s dispenser and wrote the commitment.

Lionel Messi’s Historic Napkin © Bonhams

The 16.5 x 16.5 cm napkin sealed the deal. That night, FC Barcelona’s President, Joan Gaspart, confirmed the agreement on more substantial paper. This marked the beginning of Messi’s illustrious career with Barcelona, where he became the team’s iconic Number 10 and led them to unprecedented success.

From 2008 to 2012, under manager Pep Guardiola, FC Barcelona won 14 trophies, becoming one of the greatest teams of all time. Messi’s individual accolades include eight Ballon d’Or awards, the most coveted personal trophy in football. He has broken numerous records, including being Barcelona’s all-time top scorer. In 2012, Messi scored 91 goals in all competitions, surpassing Gerd Müller’s record. In 2022, Messi captained Argentina to a World Cup victory in Qatar, in what many consider the finest final ever.

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