Napkin Messi Signed with Barcelona at 13 Sold for £760,000

The auction record from Bonhams shows that the napkin used for Messi's first contract with Barcelona has been sold for £762,000 (€890,000, approximately 6.99 million RMB), including the auction house's commission.

The story of this napkin dates back to December 2000, when Messi was only 13 years old. It is signed in blue ballpoint pen by then-Barcelona sporting director Carles Rexach, marking the commitment of Messi's contract with Barcelona. The item originally belonged to Argentine agent Horacio Gaggioli and was sold by Bonhams after nine days of online bidding. In recent months, the napkin had been exhibited in Paris, New York, and London.

Ian Ehling, the head of books and manuscripts at Bonhams New York, stated that since the announcement of the auction, the napkin has attracted attention from many enthusiasts worldwide and is one of the most interesting items they have ever had.

Ehling said, "Yes, it's just a napkin, but it's *the* famous napkin that started Messi's professional career. It changed his life, altered Barcelona's future, and created some of the most brilliant moments in football history."