Lionel Messi's Barcelona Contract Napkin Sells for $965,000 At An Auction

The starting price of this iconic napkin was 300,000 pounds or 379,000 USD.

Genia Chadha
Genia Chadha Official | Verified Expert • 07 Jun, 2026 Chief Editor
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Lionel Messi's Barcelona Contract Napkin Sells for $965,000 At An Auction
“Lionel Messi's Barcelona Contract Napkin Sells for $965,000 At An Auction”
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17 May 2024
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Lionel Messi's Barcelona Contract Napkin Sells for $965,000 At An Auction
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Lionel Messi is considered the best football player to ever step foot on the pitch by many, and the accolades of the Argentine alone back up that claim. He is considered a natural talent, and his football career has been nothing less than a fairy tale as well. Messi suffered from growth hormone deficiency in his childhood, and it seemed like he would not be able to fulfill his dream of becoming a professional football player. 

He played incredibly well in his teenage years, but no club was ready to take him in because of this defect.
 That's when he had a trial at FC Barcelona, and he impressed the club so much that they could not wait to sign him. They gave a verbal agreement to his dad, but when Jorge Messi asked for something formal, a contract was signed on a napkin, and that's how the incredible journey of Lionel Messi started at FC Barcelona. 

Now this famous napkin that initially linked Messi and FC Barcelona together was sold for 965,000 US dollars (762,400 pounds) on Friday at the British Auction House in Bonhams. According to Bonhams, the auction was held on behalf of Horacio Gaggioli, an agent from Messi's home country of Argentina who was part of the deal.

The starting price of this iconic napkin was 300,000 pounds or 379,000 USD. Lionel Messi parted ways with FC Barcelona in 2021 when the club failed to renew his contract because of their troublesome financial condition. Messi was heartbroken by this outcome, and he had to move to the French club, Paris Saint-Germain. 

He then went on to win the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022. Lionel Messi is currently entertaining fans with his magic in the USA with Inter Miami. FC Barcelona, on the other hand, are also adjusting to its life post-Messi and is progressing well.

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Genia Chadha

Genia Chadha Official | Verified Expert • 07 Jun, 2026 Chief Editor

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