LONDON (AP) — Sotheby’s is currently hosting an auction that has caught the attention of sports enthusiasts worldwide. The auction features 24 metal lockers that were once used by the iconic Real Madrid soccer team. These lockers, which were in use between 2002 and 2022 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, are now up for grabs as part of the auction.
On display at Sotheby’s London showrooms, these lockers hold a piece of history from some of the greatest soccer players to have graced the field. The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane, Sergio Ramos, and Luís Figo have all utilized these lockers during their time at Real Madrid. Each locker is being sold individually, with bidding starting at 10,000 pounds ($12,600).
The auction, a collaboration between Sotheby’s and Real Madrid’s memorabilia partner Pursuit 3 Marketing Group, is open for online bidding until Nov. 26. A portion of the proceeds from the auction will be donated to Real Madrid’s charitable foundation, adding a philanthropic element to the event.
Brendan Hawkes, a specialist in sports and modern collectibles at Sotheby’s, expressed his excitement at being able to offer these historic artifacts to the public. He described the lockers as providing a unique glimpse into the inner workings of the legendary Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and one of the most successful football clubs in the world.
This auction is indicative of the growing popularity of sports memorabilia, which is expanding beyond traditional items like jerseys and balls. In a recent sale, Sotheby’s auctioned off Kobe Bryant’s locker from the Staples Center for an impressive $2.9 million. The record for the highest price paid for sports memorabilia currently stands at $24.12 million, achieved by the sale of Babe Ruth’s jersey from the 1932 World Series at Heritage Auctions in Dallas.
