Six Argentine national jerseys that professional soccer player Lionel Messi (36) wore at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar were auctioned for almost eight million US dollars (around 7.3 million euros). The jerseys brought in $7.8 million – more than has ever been paid for a piece of Messi’s sports memorabilia at auction, auction house Sotheby’s said on Thursday.
A startup company had the jerseys auctioned off. Sotheby’s initially did not say who acquired it. Part of the proceeds will be made available for charity purposes.
Messi captained the Argentine national team to the World Cup title a year ago. He wore the jerseys now being auctioned in two of the three group games, in the round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and the first half of the final. Messi now plays in the USA for Inter Miami. (dpa)