What is the auction price of Lionel Messi‘s first contract?
Lionel Messi’s inaugural contract with Barcelona, inked on a napkin on December 14, 2000, is poised to hit the auction block in March, boasting a staggering price tag of 350,000 euros.
This historic document, which marked the genesis of Messi’s illustrious career, will be auctioned by the esteemed London-based auction house, Bonhams.
The narrative traces back to Messi’s early days when, at the tender age of 13, he endeavored to secure a spot in the ranks of the Catalan football club.
The initial hesitancy of Barcelona to embrace the young prodigy is juxtaposed against the backdrop of Messi’s impressive two-week trial in September 2000.
๐จโ ๐ฐ | The historic napkin on which Lionel Messiโs first professional contract with FC Barcelona was drafted and signed was SOLD this morning for $๐๐๐,๐๐๐. pic.twitter.com/KizyseSWKM
โ Ca Va? ๐ (@psg__chief) May 17, 2024
Faced with the prospect of losing the budding talent to his native Rosario in Argentina, Barcelona director Carles Rexach grappled with a pivotal decision.
Enter Horacio Gaggioli, Messi’s agent, who, in December 2000, delivered an ultimatum to Rexach. If Barcelona couldn’t commit to Messi, other elite clubs, including the arch-rivals Real Madrid, were ready to swoop in.
With time constraints impeding the formalization of a conventional agreement, an unconventional solution emerged โ the contract was transcribed onto a humble napkin, bearing the signatures of all parties involved, later metamorphosing into a legally binding document.
The historic napkin articulates Rexach’s commitment, despite opposition, to sign Lionel Messi, contingent on maintaining the agreed-upon fees.
Fast forward to the present day, and this unique artifact is set to go under the hammer, orchestrated by Bonhams on behalf of Messi’s agent, Horacio Gaggioli.
Ian Ehling, the head of fine books and manuscripts at Bonhams New York, expressed unparalleled enthusiasm for the auction item.
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He underscored the napkin’s role in catalyzing Messi’s career trajectory, reshaping his life and imprinting an indelible mark on the future of FC Barcelona.
Gaggioli, reflecting on the momentous occasion, dubbed the napkin a “marvelous moment” that effectively dismantled the deadlock in Messi‘s signing.
Not merely a relic, he emphasized its legal standing, complete with names, dates, and notarization, ensuring its enduring significance.
Although offered a place in Barcelona’s museum, the napkin currently resides in a secure location within a bank in Andorra, a testament to its enduring legacy.
