Lionel Messi’s final official match shirt before joining FC Barcelona is expected to fetch up to £100,000 at auction, making it a hot item these days.
Messi wore this famous jersey in the final game of the Pibes 99 tournament in 1999 while playing for Newell’s Old Boys.
The item’s auctioneers, Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr, emphasized its importance by saying, “Messi himself gave this shirt after a 1999 youth league match between General Paz Juniors and Newell’s Old Boys. This shirt is very significant because it was the final occasion Messi wore an official Argentina shirt before moving to Barcelona. It was worn during the Pibes 99 final in December 1999, where Argentina finished in second place. It marks the conclusion of his youth career in Argentina before he starts an incredible career with the Catalan team.
At the next auction in Paris, this iconic item is expected to fetch between €80,000 and €120,000 (£67,000 to £100,000).
Messi showed remarkable potential at an early age and started his storied football career in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina. He began his career with Newell’s Old Boys’ youth team before joining FC Barcelona at the age of 13. Messi had extraordinary success during his 17 seasons at Barcelona. He went on to play for PSG and now Inter Miami.
