Why Did Lionel Messi Sign His First Barcelona Contract On a Napkin, Currently On Sale at Auction? Exploring the Backstory As Bidding Starts

The year 2000 marked the beginning of a new millennium, but more importantly for Barcelona a new era. It was the year that paved the way for Lionel Messi‘ to Barca where he weaved an insurmountable legacy. His arrival is attached with a few stories including his first arrival to Spain in September 2000. However, the most incredible event took place on December 14th when his first agreement was sealed interestingly on a napkin. And since this napkin is worth a minimum of $379,000 currently, we look at why the deal had to be signed in such a way.

Meanwhile, Messi left Barcelona in 2021 as a legend of the club. He scored 603 goals for them and won 8 La Liga and 4 Champions League titles with them. But hardly did his father know that the napkin made a difference to Inter Miami skipper’s career.

Lionel Messi’s father is the reason for his first Barcelona deal

The Argentine superstar was a special soccer prodigy playing for the Newell’s Old Boys. And in his first trip to Barcelona, Messi made a lasting impression on the club. Nonetheless, the club’s procrastination in providing any confirmation despite being keen led to the frustration of Messi’s father Jorge. This resulted in the Barcelona sporting director Carles Rexach taking out a 6.5-inch by 6.5-inch napkin and agreeing with a tennis club. The main reason was to assure senior Messi that the deal would go through according to reports, and the rest is history.

The agreement was made in the presence of Messi’s then agent Horacio Gaggioli, and former FC Barcelona scouting adviser Josep Maria Minguella bearing signatures of all three including Rexach. It reads, “In Barcelona, on 14 December 2000 and the presence of Messrs Minguella and Horacio, Carles Rexach, FC Barcelona’s sporting director, hereby agrees, under his responsibility and regardless of any dissenting opinions, to sign the player Lionel Messi, provided that we keep to the amounts agreed upon,” settling the dust. But the story of the napkin continues.

Messi’s iconic napkin agreement ready to be sold

Recently, the napkin which is carefully framed is now open for bidders. The bid starting from $379,000 can reach any extent and is via an online auction by British auction house Bonhams till 17th May. After a reported discussion over the ownership of the piece, it is now being done on behalf of Gaggioli who mediated Lionel Messi’s move to Spain.

Overall, the idea of a napkin worked wonders for FC Barcelona for more than a decade and a half. But with it reaching the auction house, a masterpiece of Lionel Messi will no longer be with any of the people involved. Quite an emotional moment for both the Cules and Messi fans.