Barcelona’s initial contract with Messi, scribbled on a napkin in 2000, might fetch more than 0.5 million USD at auction. 
On May 8, the British auction house Bonhams launched an online auction for Messi and Barcelona’s first contract. Early offers totaled more than $275,000 and are anticipated to exceed $625,000. The auction will close on May 17.
Initially, the auction was scheduled for March. However, Bonhams had to postpone the sale due to a dispute about ownership of the scarf, which had been in the hands of Argentine transfer broker Horacio Gaggioli for two decades. Josep Minguella, another broker involved in Messi’s transfer from Argentina to Spain, claimed possession of the scarf after it was reported that it would be auctioned. Gaggioli objected to this viewpoint, and Bonhams later announced that “there are no longer any legal obstacles”.

Bonhams held an online auction of Messi’s contract scrawled on a napkin on May 8. Photograph: PA.

Messi and his father, Jorge, traveled to Spain in 2000, hoping to join Barcelona. Following a period of interaction and trial, Mr. Jorge questioned the club’s dedication to his kid. To keep him, Football Director Carles Rexach quickly signed a temporary deal.

“Why the napkin? Because it’s the only thing I have on hand,” Rexach revealed in 2020, marking Messi’s 20th anniversary with Barcelona. “I thought that the only way to relieve Jorge’s stress was to sign something. So I requested a napkin from the restaurant waiter.

After Barcelona signed an official deal with Messi, Gaggioli retained the napkin as a souvenir. Later, the Argentine broker stored it in a secure storage in Andorra, a principality located north of Barcelona. Barca attempted to return the scarf to the club’s museum but failed.

Messi signed his first deal with Barcelona when he was 13 years old. He joined the first team in 2004 and has made regular contributions over the past 17 years. Messi has scored the most goals (672), played the most games (778), and won the most trophies (34) for Barcelona, including four Champions Leagues and ten La Ligas.

The Argentine striker has also won the 2022 World Cup, the 2022 Intercontinental Super Cup, the 2021 Copa America, the 2005 U20 World Cup, the 2008 Olympic gold medal, a record eight Golden Balls, and six European Golden Shoes.