Messi's FIFA World Cup 2022 jerseys fetch whopping $7.8 million at auction

Argentina football star Lionel Messi's iconic jerseys from the FIFA World Cup 2022 have fetched a staggering $7.8 million at an auction in New York. 

The six jerseys, worn by the soccer legend during the first half of one of Argentina’s matches, became the highest-valued sports memorabilia of the year.

Argentina secured their third World Cup title with a memorable victory over France in a penalty shootout, a moment etched in football history. 

Messi's contribution, scoring two of Argentina's three goals, added significance to the jerseys, making them highly sought after by collectors.

“These historic shirts are not only a tangible reminder of one of the most important moments in the history of sports, but are principally connected to the pinnacle moment in the career of the most decorated football player in history,” a statement by Sotheby’s head of modern collectables, Brahm Wachter, read.

The two-week online auction, held at Sotheby's New York headquarters, concluded with the successful sale of the jerseys. However, details about the winning bidder remain undisclosed.

Sotheby’s announced that a portion of the proceeds from the auction would be directed to the UNICAS Project, an initiative led by the Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona Children’s Hospital, in collaboration with the Leo Messi Foundation. 

The project aims to support children affected by rare diseases.