Football fans and celebrity memorabilia collectors alike eagerly anticipate the upcoming public auction of a historical piece that significantly altered the course of Argentine star Lionel Messi’s career.
The renowned napkin on which Messi penned his first contract with FC Barcelona on December 14, 2000, at the age of 13, will be offered for auction at the prestigious Bonhams auction house in the period between March 18 and 27. It is expected that the auction will commence at £300,000 (approximately $381,000).
This exceptional football memorabilia piece has been carefully preserved in the custody of Horacio Gaggioli, Messi’s representative at the time of the signing. Notably, the iconic napkin bears not only the signature of the young legend-to-be but also the signatures of Barcelona’s then-sports director Carles Rexach and Josep Maria Minguella, the talent scout credited with discovering Messi.
Minguella played a pivotal role in Messi’s journey to Barcelona, overseeing the welfare and settlement of the young prodigy and his father, Jorge, in the city since September 2000. The napkin, signed during a lunch at Montjuic, bears a written commitment from Carles Rexach.
The engraving, in blue ink, signifies the official commitment undertaken on this unforgettable day. The napkin, originating from the Pompeia Tennis Club, states, “On December 14, 2000, in Barcelona with the presence of Mr. Minguella and Horacio, Carles Rexach, the Sporting Director of F.C.Barcelona, undertakes that he will sign the player Lionel Messi, provided that we get it done under the terms agreed.”
Following the official signing of the agreement, approved by the club’s President Juan Gaspart on the same night, the napkin was initially intended to be placed in the FC Barcelona museum. Gaggioli expressed his intention to donate this invaluable historical piece to the club’s museum. However, circumstances have evolved, and the napkin has found its place within the auction house’s premises instead of the museum.
As the auction approaches, football enthusiasts eagerly await the proud new owner of this historical napkin, symbolizing a part of the exceptional journey that led Messi to become one of the greatest footballers in history.
