Source:
USA TODAY Sports/Victor Fraile Rodriguez
[Saba
Sports News] According to Spanish media reports, the tissue that was used by
Barcelona to sign Lionel Messi will be auctioned. The auction is scheduled to
take place from March 18th to 27th and will be conducted by Bonhams, a renowned
British auction house. The starting price for the auction is estimated to be
around £300,000. The item, which is said to have been kept in a safe, holds
significance as it was the tissue used to sign Messi when he was just 13 years
old on December 14, 2000. This unique “tissue contract” marked the
beginning of Messi’s legendary journey. The contract, written on a paper towel,
states that Barcelona’s Sports Director Carles Rexach agreed to sign Messi
within his responsibilities and in accordance with the pre-agreed agreement
witnessed by Josep Maria Minguella and Horacio Gaggioli. During his 21-year
career with Barcelona, Messi made 778 appearances, scored 672 goals, and
provided 305 assists. He won numerous titles with the club, including 10 La
Liga titles, 4 Champions League titles, 7 Copa del Rey titles, and 8 Spanish
Super Cup titles, among others.