Can't Break The Record - Messi's Match-Worn 2022 World Cup Shirts Sell for $7.8M at Auction
- Auction Sale: Messi's 2022 World Cup match-worn jersey collection sold for $7.8 million at auction, failing to break the record for game-worn sports memorabilia.
- Charity Donation: The $7.8 million from the auction of Messi's jerseys will be donated to the Sant Joan de Déu pediatric hospital in Barcelona.
- Items Auctioned: The auction consisted of 6 Messi match-worn jerseys from the 2022 World Cup, including the final, semi-final, and quarter-final matches.
Update: After a total of three auctions, the Messi match-worn 2022 World Cup jersey collection fetched a final price of $7.8 million at Sotheby's New York, including the buyer's premium.
Sotheby's had hoped that Messi's jersey would set an auction record for game-worn sports memorabilia, but that was not to be. The highest price ever paid for a jersey at auction remains the $10.1 million paid in September 2022 for Michael Jordan's Game 1 jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals.
It should be noted that this amount will be allocated, by the decision of Leo Messi himself, to the Sant Joan de Déu pediatric hospital in Barcelona.
This time a year ago, Messi put in an outstanding performance in Qatar to help Argentina win their third World Cup. As a result, Messi's 2022 World Cup shirts are extremely valuable and Sotheby's is giving you the chance to own them by auctioning 6 shirts worn by Messi at the 2022 World Cup, including the shirt he wore in the final.
Sotheby's will auction 6 Messi match-worn 2022 World Cup shirts, including:
- First half of the Final
- Semi-final
- Quarter-final
- Round of 16
- Two of the three Group Stage matches (vs Arab Saudi; vs Mexico)
The Messi World Cup 2022 match-worn collection will be offered in a dedicated sale open for bidding from 30 November - 14 December. The extraordinary collection is estimated in excess of $10 million, with the sale poised to become the most valuable collection of sports memorabilia at auction.
A portion of the proceeds from the auction will be donated to UNICAS Project, led by Sant Joan de Déu (SJD) Barcelona Children’s Hospital with the support of Leo Messi Foundation, to meet the needs of children suffering from rare diseases.
The current record for football memorabilia is the 'Hand of God' match worn by Maradona in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final against England, which sold for $9.3 million at Sotheby's London in May 2022.
Speaking of sports in general, the most expensive piece of sports memorabilia sold at auction was Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals - known as the "Last Dance" season - which sold for $10.1 million in September 2022.
It remains to be if the Messi 2022 World Cup match-worn final can surpass Maradona and Michael Jordan as the highest-priced sports memorabilia of all time.
Messi's match-worn shirts from the 2022 World Cup will be auctioned on sothebys.com from 30 November.
Do you think Messi's 2022 World Cup match-worn shirt will break the record for the most valuable auctioned shirt, currently held by Maradona and Michael Jordan? Let us know in the comments below.
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Stunning Fortuna Köln 2026 Regional Cup Final Kit Released
German side SC Fortuna Köln has released a highly limited special-edition kit to wear during their upcoming 2026 Mittelrheinpokal final. Produced by Dutch sportswear brand Robey, this exclusive release celebrates the club's first appearance in the regional cup final in six years, as they look to secure the trophy for the first time in 13 years.
The Robey SC Fortuna Köln 2026 Cup Final shirt introduces a striking tri-color gradient design that provides a highly bespoke look for the occasion. The top of the jersey begins in a deep navy blue, smoothly fading into a vibrant light blue chest band before transitioning into a clean white lower half.
Adding a premium, historic touch to the kit, all application details - including the Robey manufacturer branding, the central 'HIT' sponsor, and a classic standalone 'F' retro crest - are executed in metallic gold. A subtle light blue V-neck collar and matching sleeve cuffs complete the sophisticated aesthetic.
Priced at €75, this exclusive release serves as a unique collector's item for supporters of the Regionalliga West side. Curiously, while releasing this kit, the club has actively pushed an "All in Red" (Alle in Rot) motto for the fans attending the match, asking supporters to create a sea of red in the stands despite the team wearing their special-edition colors on the pitch.
What are your thoughts on this striking gradient Cup Final kit by Robey? Let us know in the comments below.
Aston Villa to Wear Third Kit with Charity Sponsor in Europa League Final
Aston Villa has officially confirmed they will wear their 2025-2026 Adidas third kit for the upcoming UEFA Europa League Final against SC Freiburg in Istanbul.
The decision was made due to a direct kit clash with the German side's traditional all-red home strip, forcing the Premier League club out of their iconic claret and blue. Furthermore, due to strict betting licensing regulations in Turkey, the club's principal partner, Betano, cannot be legally displayed on the jerseys. In response, the space is used by the Aston Villa Foundation for the historic showpiece event.
This special-edition jersey also features the Aston Villa Foundation branding across the chest in matching purple typography, sitting just below a commemorative Match ID text that marks the May 20 final at Besiktas Park.
Recognizing the historical significance of this unique uniform, the club is making the charity edition available to the public. Supporters can purchase these limited-edition shirts, complete with the foundation branding and central match details, in both authentic and replica versions from official club stores.
This rare combination of an alternate kit, a one-off charity sponsor, and European final detailing instantly makes this release a highly sought-after piece for shirt collectors.
