A simple piece of paper holds incredible significance in the history of football. This ordinary napkin, signed in December 2000, marked the beginning of Lionel Messi’s extraordinary journey with FC Barcelona.
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| A napkin, signed by Barcelona’s sporting director at the time, Carles Rexach, on December 14, 2000, pledging a contract to secure 13-year-old Lionel Messi for FC Barcelona. The napkin was on display at Bonhams Auctions in New York City in March 2024. Source: Reuters |
Messi’s talent blossomed at Barcelona, where he became one of the club’s greatest players. During his time with the Catalan giants, he amassed an incredible haul of over 30 trophies and cemented his legacy as their all-time leading scorer with 672 goals.
His individual brilliance was recognized with a record eight Ballon d’Or awards for the world’s best player. But Messi’s impact extended beyond personal accolades; he also led Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, cementing his place among the game’s legends.
Now, as Messi continues his career with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, that humble napkin remains a reminder of the power of potential and the beauty of the game.
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| The famous napkin, framed and signed, on display at the Bonhams auction house in London, May 2024. Source: Reuters |
“It may be a paper napkin, but it represents a pivotal moment in football history,” remarked Ian Ehling, head of fine books and manuscripts at Bonhams New York. “It changed Messi’s life and the future of FC Barcelona, and it played a part in creating some of football’s most glorious moments for fans worldwide.”
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