Messi Jersey Fetches Record Price

Rare football memorabilia preserved by former Manchester United staff member Rod Thornley attracted a strong response at auction. A Barcelona jersey worn and signed by Lionel Messi in 2012 sold for $66,107, approximately ₹56.4 lakh. In comparison, a Real Madrid jersey worn by Cristiano Ronaldo fetched $10,601, around ₹9.05 lakh. Messi’s shirt therefore sold for more than six times the price of Ronaldo’s jersey.

The Messi jersey also carries a memorable story. Before Barcelona’s 2012 pre-season match against Manchester United, Thornley asked Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué if he could arrange Messi’s shirt. After the match, Piqué took Thornley into Barcelona’s dressing room, where Messi personally removed the shirt he had worn, signed it and handed it to him. The shirt’s match-worn status, Messi’s signature and the personal story behind it significantly added to its value among collectors.