(Football News) The highly anticipated auction of Lionel Messi’s collection, featuring six iconic jerseys worn during the 2022 World Cup, concluded with a remarkable total of $7.8 million.

Brahm Wachter, the head of modern collectibles at the esteemed auction house Sotheby’s, underscored the profound historical significance encapsulated by these jerseys. He articulated, “These historic shirts are not only a tangible reminder of one of the most important moments in the history of sports but are principally connected to the pinnacle moment in the career of the most decorated football player in history.”

Among the treasures auctioned was Messi’s celebrated No.10 jersey worn during the World Cup final, where Argentina secured their third title by triumphing over France in a penalty shootout. Notably, this specific jersey has now etched its place as the third most valuable ever sold at an auction, following in the footsteps of Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals jersey, which set a record at $10.1 million in 2022, and Diego Maradona’s legendary “Hand of God” goal jersey, which fetched $9.28 million in May 2022.

Messi’s stellar performance during the 2022 World Cup included an impressive tally of seven goals and three assists, earning him the prestigious Golden Ball award—a rare accomplishment as the only player to win it twice. Reflecting on this long-awaited victory, Messi expressed his gratitude, stating, “There are very few players who can say that they have achieved everything, and thanks to God, I am one of them.”

In emphasizing the journey to success, Messi highlighted the significance of effort, sacrifice, hard work, and humility, acknowledging the challenges faced along the way. He concluded by expressing the newfound joy he experiences in playing football, particularly with the national team, and relishing the current moment in his illustrious career.

Also Read: Manchester City will play Crystal Palace in EPLhttps://spogonews.com/manchester-city-will-play-crystal-palace-in-epl/