Bonhams Company has just auctioned off a napkin with the entire content of Messi’s first contract signed with Barcelona FC in December 2000. This extremely unique scarf is worth up to 950,000 USD, according to Marca newspaper (Spain).

“This special contract was signed at a restaurant, when Messi was only 13 years old, when he had just arrived in Barcelona after a trial period and was looking for an opportunity to join the team.

Messi and his first contract

Messi and his first contract

BRAND

Napkin model with Messi's first contract sold at auction

Napkin with Messi’s first contract, sold at auction

BRAND

Messi’s father , Mr. Jorge Messi, and his representative, Mr. Horacio Gaggioli (Argentinian), met and discussed with Mr. Carles Rexach, Barcelona’s Sports Director at that time. To confirm that the Catalan team is interested in Messi’s talent, Mr. Carles Rexach used a napkin to draft a contract for Messi’s side to sign and feel secure,” Marca said .

“Thanks to this unique contract signed in 2000, Barcelona FC changed its destiny and Messi himself became one of the greatest players of all time in world football. 

At Barcelona, ​​Messi won 35 championship titles and achieved many great successes with the Argentina team, including winning gold medals at the Olympics, winning the Copa America, the highest peak being the 2022 World Cup championship in Qatar and owns up to 8 Golden Ball titles (Ballon d’Or)”, Marca newspaper shared.

Messi's first contract was signed on... a napkin, auctioned for up to 950,000 USD - Photo 3.

At the age of 36, Messi is still playing and conquering American fans at Inter Miami Club

CLB Inter Miami

“The napkin with Messi’s first contract signed by Mr. Carles Rexach with a blue pen, belongs to Mr. Horacio Gaggioli. Bonhams company put it up for online auction for the past 9 days, after being displayed in Paris (France), New York (USA) and London (UK) in recent months. This napkin model has just been sold for up to 950,000 USD, with the buyer not providing his identity,” Marca revealed .

“Yes, it’s just a napkin, but it’s the famous napkin that started Messi’s career. It changed his life, the future of FC Barcelona and was instrumental in those moments.” The most glorious in the history of world football,” said Ian Ehling, head of the books and manuscripts department at Bonhams in New York. 

“This scarf has attracted a lot of attention from international fans, because it is related to the greatest player in the world, Messi, who is still playing and conquering the public in America. This is The most interesting item we auctioned, received a lot of great interest,” Mr. Ian Ehling added.