The paper napkin that secured a deal between international soccer star Lionel Messi and FC Barcelona’s team will be auctioned in March at a starting price of £300,000.
The napkin dates back to December 2000 and was signed by Barca's then sporting director Carles Rexach, Messi's father Jorge, and agent Horacio Gaggioli.
The fragile piece of sports memorabilia is now owned by Gaggioli, and an online auction is scheduled to take place from March 18–27.
Goggioli helped Lionel Messi come to Barcelona for a trial. After watching Messi play, Josep Maria Minguella, Barcelona's talent scout, wanted to secure Messi's signature as soon as possible. Hence, in the absence of a proper contract, Minguella made one up on a napkin.
The contract outlined on the small 16.5 x 16.5 cm napkin was officially transferred to a real document later that night, bringing Messi to the squad.
Just three years after the contract, Messi had an informal debut with FC Barcelona and later went on to become one of the best players in the sport’s history.