In a stunning auction held by Sotheby's, a collection of six shirts worn by Lionel Messi during the 2022 World Cup has fetched a jaw-dropping $7.8 million (£6.1 million), making it the most expensive sports memorabilia sold this year. The shirts, which still bear stains and dirt from their matches, have been on display in the lobby of Sotheby's in New York, alongside the Argentina flag, for the past two weeks.

The shirts hold immense significance as they were worn by Messi in each round of the tournament, including the electrifying final against France, which Argentina went on to win in a thrilling penalty shootout. Sotheby's had initially estimated the collection to be worth "in excess of $10 million," which would have made it the most valuable sports memorabilia ever sold at an auction. However, the final bid fell short of this target, meaning that a 1998 Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls jersey still holds the world record.

The auction was conducted online through the Sotheby's website, allowing bidders from all over the world to participate. Prior registration with Sotheby's was required to deter timewasters and ensure serious bids.

Among the shirts in the collection is the one Messi wore in the first half of the World Cup final, during which he scored as Argentina secured a 2-0 lead before France launched a comeback. Additionally, the set includes shirts worn by Messi in each of the three knockout rounds and two out of three group games, omitting the match against Poland. Notably, Argentina started the tournament slowly, with a surprise loss to Saudi Arabia, but eventually found their rhythm with Messi leading the way.

The final against France was one for the history books, ending in a dramatic 3-3 draw and a penalty shootout won 4-2 by Argentina. Messi, in addition to lifting the World Cup as the team's captain, also claimed the prestigious Golden Ball award for being the tournament's best player, having amassed a remarkable seven goals throughout the event.

While the ultimate worth of the collection remains to be seen, the purchase of sports memorabilia as an investment continues to be a booming trend. The appeal of football has expanded far beyond its traditional strongholds in Europe and South America, with countries like the United States increasingly demonstrating an avid interest in the sport. Messi's recent move to MLS club Inter Miami further magnifies his popularity, reflecting a wider global appeal for sports memorabilia.

Last year, the sports memorabilia auction record was broken by another Argentina No. 10 shirt, famously worn by the late Diego Maradona during the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup. The shirt, which belonged to Steve Hodge, an England midfielder, fetched £7.1 million at the Sotheby's auction. Meanwhile, a basketball jersey worn by Michael Jordan in the 1998 NBA Finals series presently holds the overall sports memorabilia auction record, having been sold for £8.85 million.

The auction of Messi's shirts was carefully engineered, involving multiple partners such as Sotheby's and sports app AC Momento. With a commercial partnership in place, AC Momento assists high-profile athletes, including Messi, in managing their match-worn memorabilia collections, adding to the allure and value of such items.

A portion of the auction's proceeds will be donated to the UNICAS Project, led by Sant Joan de Deu Barcelona Children's Hospital, in collaboration with the Leo Messi Foundation. The project aims to provide support and treatment for children suffering from rare diseases. The exact amount being donated remains undisclosed.

Despite Messi's immense wealth, which includes a substantial salary in Major League Soccer (MLS), the sale of his World Cup shirts signifies a calculated move to generate additional funds. Messi's current MLS salary stands at $20,446,667 in guaranteed compensation for the calendar year 2023, with a base salary of $12 million.

Having earned significant sums during his tenure at Paris Saint-Germain and his illustrious career in Barcelona prior to that, Messi's decision to sell these shirts underscores his strategic approach to both his sporting and commercial ventures.