A historic napkin that played a crucial role in linking a young Lionel Messi to Barcelona has been sold for a staggering 762,400 pounds ($965,000) at a recent auction conducted by British auction house Bonhams.
The napkin, which dates back almost 25 years, contained an initial agreement in principle to sign the-then 13-year-old Messi at a Barcelona tennis club. This informal agreement was later followed by a more detailed and formal contract with the club.
An undisclosed percentage of the sale price will cover administrative fees for the online auction, known as the buyer's premium. The auction was facilitated on behalf of Horacio Gaggioli, an agent from Messi's native Argentina who played a pivotal role in the deal.
The contract, written in blue ink on the napkin, aimed to reassure Messi's father, Jorge Messi, amidst stalled negotiations with Barcelona. Jorge Messi had even threatened to take his son back to Argentina before the deal was finalized.
The napkin, bearing the date Dec. 14, 2000, features the signatures of Gaggioli, another agent, Josep Maria Minguella, and Barcelona's then-sporting director, Carles Rexach, who met at a tennis club for the historic agreement. Rexach famously requested paper from a waiter and was handed a blank napkin to seal the deal.
The auction for the napkin started at a price of 300,000 pounds ($379,000) before eventually fetching the final impressive sum.
Messi, who spent close to two decades with Barcelona after joining the club's youth squads at the age of 13, made his first-team debut in 2004. During his illustrious career at Barcelona, he helped the club secure numerous major trophies, including four Champions League titles and 10 Spanish league championships.
In a surprising move, Messi departed Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2021 before later joining Inter Miami. His legacy at Barcelona remains unmatched, leaving an indelible mark on the club's history.
For more soccer news and updates, visit AP soccer.
