Related Articles
The auction for the napkin that played a pivotal role in Lionel Messi’s transfer to Barcelona has garnered significant attention, with bidding already reaching a substantial sum. The napkin, which holds historical significance as the document that initiated Messi’s legendary career with Barcelona, has been the subject of dispute over its ownership.
Originally scheduled for March, the auction was postponed due to disagreements regarding who rightfully possessed the napkin. michiganfootballschedule Horacio Gaggioli, an Argentine agent closely involved in Messi’s transfer, claims ownership of the napkin, while Josep Minguella, another advisor in the deal, contested this claim.
Despite the dispute, Bonhams, the British auction house overseeing the sale, maintains that there are no issues regarding the napkin’s ownership and its sale proceeds as planned.
The napkin, signed hastily in 2000 by Barcelona’s then-director of football Carles Rexach, Minguella, and Gaggioli, served as a promise for Messi’s first contract with the club. Since then, it has been securely stored in a vault in Andorra, with attempts to include it in Barcelona’s museum previously faltering.
The significance of this napkin cannot be overstated, as it marks the beginning of Messi’s remarkable journey with Barcelona, where he became the club’s greatest player, achieving numerous accolades and records over two decades.
Now, as Messi continues his career with Inter Miami in the MLS, his legacy remains indelibly linked with Barcelona, where he won multiple LaLiga titles, Copa del Rey trophies, and Champions League triumphs. Individually, Messi’s dominance is unparalleled, having won the Ballon d’Or a record eight times and numerous other prestigious awards.
With international success also achieved, including Copa América and World Cup victories with Argentina, Messi’s impact on the world of football transcends borders and generations, making the napkin that kickstarted his journey an invaluable piece of sporting history.
