A piece of footballing history has gone up for auction, and collectors are already lining up to own it. Bidding began on Wednesday for the very napkin on which FC Barcelona committed to signing a young Lionel Messi, who would later become a global football icon.
The Birth of a Legend on a Waxy Sheet
The story behind the napkin dates back to December 2000. Carles Rexach, then Barcelona’s sporting director, met with agent Horacio Gaggioli to discuss the potential signing of a talented 13-year-old Argentinian prodigy named Lionel Messi. To solidify their agreement, Rexach famously scribbled a promise to sign Messi onto a standard Spanish napkin. While not legally binding, this unassuming piece of paper marked the beginning of a legendary partnership between Messi and Barcelona.
From Napkin to Legend: A Record-Breaking Legacy
The napkin, described by auction house Bonhams as “blue ink on a standard Spanish waxy napkin,” has become a coveted piece of memorabilia. Bidding opened at a staggering £220,000 (approximately $274,824) and is expected to climb even higher. The online auction closes on May 17th, with an estimated selling price between £300,000 and £500,000.
More Than Just a Napkin: A Symbol of Passion and Achievement
“It was never legally binding,” explains Bonhams Chief Marketing Officer Marc Sands, “but emotionally it represents the deep link or the beginning of the deep link, that Messi had with Barcelona.” For Messi fans and football history buffs alike, this napkin transcends its physical form. It represents the moment a young talent was recognized, the spark that ignited a career filled with record-breaking goals and countless trophies.
Owning a Piece of Footballing History
For serious collectors, this napkin presents a unique opportunity to own a tangible piece of footballing history. As Marc Sands puts it, “If you love football, you’ll know all about Lionel Messi and you will know that he defined football for generations. If you want a slice of that action, this is the thing to get.”
Whether driven by nostalgia, investment potential, or sheer admiration for Messi’s talent, one thing is certain: the bidding war for this historic napkin is likely to intensify in the coming days.
