The napkin that played a pivotal role in securing footballer Lionel Messi’s move to Barcelona over 20 years ago has fetched a staggering £762,000 in an online auction held by Bonhams.
Described as a “standard Spanish waxy napkin” by Bonhams, the document contained a commitment from the young Argentine player to join the club for an agreed fee.
Ian Ehling, head of fine books and manuscripts at Bonhams New York, expressed delight at the sale, calling it “wonderful” and noting the global attention it garnered.
He remarked, “What a wonderful result for one of the most thrilling items I have ever handled. Yes, it’s a paper napkin, but it’s the famous napkin that was at the inception of Lionel Messi’s career. It changed the life of Messi, the future of FC Barcelona, and was instrumental in giving some of the most glorious moments of football to billions of fans around the globe.”
The framed and laminated napkin, measuring 16.5cm square and inked in blue, was sold on behalf of Argentine agent Horacio Gaggioli, who recommended Messi to Barcelona.
In December 2000, Barcelona’s sporting director Carles Rexach made the historic agreement on the napkin at the Pompeia tennis club, alongside Josep Minguella and Gaggioli, officially committing to sign Messi based on agreed terms.
This agreement marked the beginning of Messi’s illustrious career at Barcelona, where he scored 672 goals, won the Champions League four times, and secured 10 La Liga titles.
Messi, now playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, has won the Ballon d’Or eight times and the World Cup with Argentina in 2022.
PA Media – Sarah Ping and Max McLean
