Lionel Messi led Argentina to a spectacular World Cup victory in Qatar, overcoming defending champions France 4-3 on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw in the final’s intense 120 minutes.
Despite a challenging start, losing their opening game to underdog Saudi Arabia, the Copa America champions rallied and secured the only trophy missing in Messi’s illustrious career. The triumph at Lusail Stadium marked a historic moment for Messi and his team, securing their place in football history.
Since the conclusion of the tournament, Messi has taken a new direction in his career, departing European football to join Major League Soccer with Inter Miami. Alongside his on-field accomplishments, the renowned forward’s World Cup journey has garnered attention in the sports memorabilia market.
Forbes reported that six of Messi’s World Cup jerseys from Qatar were auctioned off by Sotheby’s for an impressive $7.803 million. Notably, his match jersey for the pivotal 2-0 win over Poland in the group stage was absent, likely exchanged with opponents during the tournament.
This auction marked a historic moment, as Messi’s jersey became the most expensive item ever sold related to the football star.
It now stands as the third most valuable sports jersey, trailing behind Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals jersey ($10.1 million) and Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal jersey from the 1986 World Cup ($9.28 million), which sold in May 2022.
Proceeds from the auction will be donated to the UNICAS Project, led by Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona Children’s Hospital in collaboration with the Leo Messi Foundation. The project aims to support children suffering from rare diseases, underscoring Messi’s commitment to philanthropy.
In celebration of the six-month anniversary of this triumph, Messi shared six unforgettable moments from the tournament, highlighting his exceptional contributions, including a remarkable assist against the Netherlands and a pivotal opening goal against Mexico.
