The forthcoming auction of the napkin bearing the historic signature of 13-year-old Lionel Messi, which marked the initiation of his illustrious career with Barcelona, is set to take place in March. British auction house Bonhams has announced a starting price of £300,000 ($381,000) for this invaluable piece of football memorabilia.
The epochal moment unfolded in December 2000 when Carles Rexach, then the sporting director of Barcelona, orchestrated an agreement with Jorge Messi, Lionel’s father, and agent Horacio Gaggioli to recruit the Argentine teenager. This pivotal decision paved the way for Messi’s incredible journey, ultimately making him Barcelona’s all-time top scorer.

The backdrop of this historic event was a lunch meeting initiated by Rexach, who expressed concerns about the lack of response following Messi’s initial trials at the Spanish club. The napkin, originating from the Pompeia tennis club, bears the inscription: “In Barcelona, on 14 December 2000 and in the presence of Messrs 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.”
The agreement, later ratified by the then club president Joan Gaspart, was formally signed on the same night. A month later, Barcelona completed the signing of Messi, marking the commencement of his remarkable 20-year tenure with the Catalan club.
Lionel Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, left an indelible mark on Barcelona’s history, contributing to the club’s success with 35 titles. His enduring legacy includes a record 782 appearances and an impressive 674 goals.
The auction of the napkin serves as a unique opportunity for football enthusiasts and collectors to own a tangible piece of the iconic Messi-Barcelona narrative. The starting price reflects this artifact’s historic significance and rarity, symbolizing the genesis of one of the greatest football careers of all time.
