Six shirts worn by Messi at 2022 World Cup sell for $7.8million at auction

The auction house informed AFP on Thursday that six football shirts worn by 36-year-old Argentine superstar Lionel Messi during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar sold for $7.8 million.

There were a total of three bids on the auction house Sotheby's described as "Lionel Messi's match-worn iconic light blue and white, vertical striped Argentina shirts from his historic 2022 FIFA World Cup run."

According to Sotheby's, the hammer price broke the record for a sale of an item connected to the Argentine star and is the most valuable piece of sporting memorabilia sold at auction this year.

On December 18, 2022, Messi led Argentina to a 4-2 victory on penalties over France at Qatar's Lusail stadium, with a capacity of 80,000.

Brahm Wachter, Sotheby's head of modern collectables, stated, "The 2022 FIFA World Cup is one of the greatest events in sports history, and it is intrinsically linked to Messi's remarkable journey, solidifying his status as the greatest player of all time."

He further added, "The sale of these six shirts is a monumental occasion in auction history, providing fans and collectors with a connection to Messi's crowning achievement. Sotheby's is honored to present and showcase these priceless collectables to the public, which perfectly capture the sheer brilliance of a player who has redefined the boundaries of football excellence."

These historic shirts not only serve as a tangible reminder of one of the most significant moments in sports history but are also closely tied to the pinnacle moment in the career of the most decorated football player in history.

In addition to his auction success, Messi was recently named Time magazine's "Athlete of the Year" for 2023. This recognition comes after an exceptional season, marked by his eighth Ballon d'Or award and his groundbreaking move to Major League Soccer's Inter Miami.

Following his departure from Paris Saint-Germain, Messi made his debut for Miami in July. Despite receiving a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia, the World Cup winner chose to embark on a new chapter in MLS.