The napkin with Messi’s first Barcelona contract is up for auction

The napkin with Lionel Messi’s first signature for his contract with Barcelona is up for auction at Bonhams in London, one of the world’s oldest and largest auction houses. The starting price for this historic item is set at £220,000, marking the momentous agreement signed by Messi with the Catalan club on December 14, 2000.

At the tender age of 13, Messi had already brought the attention from Barcelona during his two-week trials in September 2000. Despite initial hesitations from the club, Messi’s agent, Horacio Gaggioli, played a pivotal role in securing the deal. Gaggioli, fearing Messi might be pursued by other clubs, including rival Real Madrid, intervened with Barcelona’s then-director, Carles Rexach.

In response to Gaggioli’s concerns, Rexach hastily arranged a dinner meeting in Barcelona where the terms of the contract were discussed. With no time to draft a formal contract, Rexach proposed that the agreement be written on a napkin, a makeshift solution agreed upon by all parties involved.

The napkin that Lionel Messi was promised his first contract with FC Barcelona on, is up for sale in London 👀 ✍️

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The original napkin in blue ink is being offered on behalf of Argentine agent, Horacio Gaggioli, in an online auction starting on 8 May 2024 and running until 17 May… pic.twitter.com/CA6WRx4QFv

— OneFootball (@OneFootball) May 8, 2024

Ian Eling, the head of the auction house, expressed the significance of this unique item, stating, “This is one of the most interesting items I’ve dealt with. Yes, it’s a paper napkin, but it’s the same famous napkin that launched Messi’s career. It changed Leo’s life, the future of Barcelona, and contributed to some of the greatest moments in football.”