Sotheby plans to auction off six shirts worn by Lionel Messi during Argentina's victorious campaign at last year's FIFA World Cup in Qatar, potentially becoming the most valuable collection of sports memorabilia ever sold, estimated to exceed $10 million.
Messi donned these shirts in the first halves of matches against Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Australia, the Netherlands, Croatia, and the final against France, where Argentina clinched the championship, marking Messi's first World Cup win after four previous attempts.
If the jerseys indeed exceed the $10 million mark, the sale could be the most valuable collection of sports memorabilia ever auctioned. The jerseys will be available for free public viewing when they are up for auction, from November 30 to December 14. The auction house announced on Monday (November 20) that it will present for sale in New York six of the seven first-half shirts worn by the Argentina captain in Qatar, including the one from the thrilling final against France.
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During the final, Argentina secured their third World Cup victory in a penalty shootout following a 3-3 draw at the Lusail Stadium, where Messi scored two goals.
Maradona’s Shirt From 1986 Sold For Record $9.3 Million
The current record for game-worn sports memorabilia is Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals jersey, selling for $10.1 million at Sotheby’s New York in Sept. 2022. For football memorabilia, the existing record is held by a shirt worn by Diego Maradona in Argentina's infamous 1986 quarter final victory over England, including his controversial "Hand of God" goal, which fetched $9.3 million at Sotheby's London in May 2022.
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