According to Euro News, The renowned napkin that sealed Lionel Messi’s first transfer to FC Barcelona will go up for auction in March, with a starting bid of £300,000 (€350,000).
When Lionel Messi, then 13 years old, was being signed by FC Barcelona, the club’s director of football, Carles Rexach, hesitated and then acted decisively on December 14, 2000.
Rexach improvised and grabbed the only nearby tool—a simple paper napkin—after receiving a frantic call from Messi’s father Jorge, threatening to send his son back to Argentina, while they were out to lunch at the Pompeia tennis club in Barcelona.
He quickly drew up an agreement on that napkin that would change football history forever.
Messi’s professional career began with a written contract that was drafted and signed by Rexach, Horacio Gaggioli, the Argentine agent who shaped the deal, and Josep Minguella, the advisor who played a crucial role in Messi’s journey from South America.
The young Rosario native went on to become the Spanish club’s top scorer with 672 goals in 778 games, eight Ballon d’Or victories over his career, and perhaps the greatest football player of all time.
At a starting price of £300,000 (€351,000), the historic napkin will now be up for private bids under British auction house Bonhams in March.
Lead Manuscripts and Fine Books at Bonhams New York, Ian Ehling, said, “This is one of the most exciting items I have ever handled.”
Yes, it’s a paper napkin, but it’s the renowned one from Messi’s professional debut. It altered Messi’s life, Barça’s future, and contributed to bringing some of the greatest moments in football history to billions of supporters worldwide.”
The napkin, which is only 16.5 x 16.5 cm in size, has been in Gaggioli’s possession ever since it was signed. It is kept safe in an Andorran vault.
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The contract written in blue ink on the napkin reads: “In Barcelona, on 14 December 2000 and the presence of Minguella and Horacio, Carles Rexach, FC Barcelona’s sporting director, hereby agrees, under his responsibility and regardless of any dissenting opinions, to sign the player Lionel Messi, provided that we keep to the amounts agreed upon.”
Rexach recounted to ESPN in a 2020 interview: “I told Jorge (Messi’s father) that my signature was there and that there were witnesses, that with my name I would take direct responsibility, there was nothing else to talk about and to be patient for a few days because Leo could already consider himself a Barca player.”
The napkin will be up for online auction from March 18 to March 27.
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