Although the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was one of the most controversial sporting events since the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, many football fans consider the 2022 tournament one of the greatest ever.
It would be the last World Cup for superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. They had won everything except the World Cup. Things could change for the latter when Argentina faced France in the final. The game ended at 2-2 after 90 minutes, and later 3-3 after extra time. The only thing that could separate the two teams was a penalty shoot-out. Argentina famously won the thrilling final, and Messi would finally win the title with his Argentina.
Related: Wilt Chamberlain’s 1972 NBA Finals Jersey Sells For $4.9 Million
Little did we know, Messi had an agreement prior to the World Cup to save all of his game-worn shirts. Although he played all seven matches, he only kept six shirts. Luckily, all the important ones, meaning the shirts used in the final, semifinal, quarterfinal, and round of 16. The other two shirts are from the group stage games, where Messi played all three matches.
Related: Mickey Mantle Memorabilia Sells For More Than $10 Million
Messi collaborated with AC Momento, an agency that partners with athletes, to auction the jerseys. It is, however, unknown if Messi sold them directly to AC Momento, or if he will get a cut of the sale that will take place on the 30th of November. Sotheby's, who handles the sale, expect the shirts to sell for $10 million.
Related: The 1992 Dream Team Collection Could Fetch $15 Million at Auction
The record for the most expensive sports jersey ever sold is Michael Jordan's 1999 NBA Finals "The Last Dance" game-worn jersey, which sold for $10,091,000 earlier this year by Sotheby's. Even if the Messi shirts exceed the $10 million estimate, it wouldn't be fair to class it as a record since it's a group of shirts. However, if Messi's final-worn shirt had been sold by itself, it surely could have gotten the same number as all the six shirts combined and, therefore, possibly beat the Jordan record.
