The world’s most expensive napkin is on the way. A single napkin could fetch as little as £300,000 ($500 million) and as much as £500,000 ($840 million). What kind of napkin?
It’s the napkin that started a legend. The famous napkin contract signed by one of the greatest legends in world soccer history, the “GOAT” Lionel Messi, is up for auction.
Back in 2000, a 13-year-old Messi signed a contract with Barcelona. At the time, Messi’s agent Horacio Gazzoli and Barcelona youth team coach Carles Rexach were dining in a restaurant. Gazzoli urged him to sign Messi, and Rexach scribbled a contract on a napkin in the restaurant, which he then signed.
Messi joined Barcelona Youth on this contract, and the rest is history. He rose through the ranks of Barcelona’s youth ranks to the first team and became one of the greatest players in the club’s history. He won tons of titles and was a top scorer. Barcelona was Messi, and Messi was Barcelona.
The napkin contract that started the legend is up for auction. The napkin is now in Gazzoli’s possession and will be auctioned off in March through the British auction house Bonhams.
Spain’s Marca reported, “This historic object, the first napkin contract that Messi signed with Barcelona, is going up for auction. Football lovers and collectors are eagerly awaiting the auction of this historic document.”
“The auction is being conducted by renowned UK auction house Bonhams and will take place from March 18-27. The estimated sale price is between £300,000 and £500,000.”
“This incredible piece of soccer memorabilia has been in Gazzoli’s vault since then. Initially, Gazzoli announced his intention to donate the napkin to the Barcelona Museum. However, when he realized that the napkin was not only within the scope of the museum, but also within the scope of the auction, he changed his mind.”
“This is one of the most interesting items we’ve ever handled,” said a Bonhams representative. It’s just a napkin, but it’s a famous napkin that marked the beginning of Messi’s career. It changed the lives of Barcelona and Messi, and helped bring some of football’s most glorious moments to billions of fans around the world.”