Tag: Messis

Lionel Messi’s World Cup jerseys set to sell for £8 Million at auction

In an auction set to take place at Sotheby’s in New York, Lionel Messi’s jerseys from the 2022 FIFA World Cup, including the historic final against France, are expected to fetch a substantial sum of £8 million. Six shirts worn by the football legend during Argentina’s triumphant journey to victory are up for grabs, with a portion of the proceeds slated to benefit charity. The collection includes Messi’s jerseys from the first half of the final, the semi-final clash against Croatia, the quarter-final showdown with the Netherlands, the round-of-16 match versus Australia, and two of the three group-stage games.

The estimated price tag of at least $10 million (£8 million) could potentially set a new record for the highest amount paid for a sports memorabilia collection, surpassing the £8.1 million achieved by Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals Game 1. Sotheby’s, renowned for handling high-profile auctions, believes that the significance of Messi’s role in the 2022 World Cup victory elevates this collection to unprecedented heights in the realm of sports memorabilia. Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s Head of Modern Collectibles, said; “The 2022 FIFA World Cup stands as one of the greatest events in sports history, intrinsically connected to Messi’s valiant journey and firmly establishing his status as the greatest player of all time.” “The sale of these six shirts stands as a monumental occasion in auction history, offering fans and collectors a connection to Messi’s crowning achievement. It is an honor for Sotheby’s to present and exhibit these invaluable collectibles to the public, which encapsulate the sheer brilliance of a player who has redefined the boundaries of football excellence,” Wachter added.

Messi’s father meets with Barcelona President ahead of possible return

Lionel Messi’s father and agent, Jorge, has been spotted having a meeting with Barcelona president Joan Laporta, amid speculation of his son’s possible return to the Spanish club. Messi had confirmed he would be leaving PSG at the end of the season after two years with the French side, and played his last game for the club on Saturday in a 3-2 defeat to Clermont which saw the World Cup-winning captain booed by his own fans.

Lionel Messi and his father, Jorge Messi. Source: Getty There has been heavy interest in his next move, with former side Barcelona, Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal – who could offer a deal worth £2 billion and Inter Miami among the favorites to secure his signature. Messi’s father held a meeting with the Barcelona President shortly after La Liga reportedly gave the club the green light to do some important transfer business in the summer. The club is expected to make Messi an official contract offer once they sell one big player.

Barcelona President Joan Laporta. Source: Getty Jorge Messi briefly answered questions from reporters after meeting with Joan Laporta. The player’s father sidestepped most questions but acknowledged that Messi “would like to return” to the club where he spent most of his career. When asked if he believed his son could be back, he said “Yes.” “It depends on lots of things. I don’t know anything,” he said. “We’ll see what happens.” 💣💣EXCLUSIVA💣💣 Ahora mismo, reunión en casa de JOAN LAPORTA entre el presidente del Barça y JORGE MESSI para tratar el posible regreso del jugador argentino. pic.twitter.com/dYVu16QTz8 — Toni Juanmartí (@tjuanmarti) June 5, 2023 Messi left Barcelona in 2021, signing for PSG on a two-year deal. A move to the Ligue 1 champions happened after his former employers were unable to afford a deal under LaLiga’s financial fair play rules. During his time with Barca, he netted a record 672 goals in 778 matches for the club he joined as a 13-year-old. Now it looks as though an emotional return to the Spanish club is likely. A deal would see Messi return to the club he called home for 17 years, giving the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner what would likely be a fairytale ending to his career.

AHEAD Barcelona father meets Messis President return

Ighalo imitates Messi’s celebration as Cristiano Ronaldo looks on

Odion Ighalo imitated a famous Lionel Messi celebration on Tuesday evening, after scoring for his side, Al-Hilal, during a Riyadh derby with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr. The Nigerian footballer converted two penalties to give his club a big win during the match. He scored before the half-time break and just after the hour mark to double his tally. Shortly after scoring his second goal, Ighalo imitated one of Lionel Messi’s most famous celebrations for Argentina as he knelt down and looked towards the heavens with both his arms raised. ⚽️ هدف #الهلال الثاني عن طريق إيغالو عبدالله الغامدي🎙 الهلال 2 × 0 النصر#الهلال_النصر | #SSC pic.twitter.com/f4Wfq5tbgO — شركة الرياضة السعودية SSC (@ssc_sports) April 18, 2023 Before the match started, opposition fans greeted Cristiano Ronaldo with deafening chants of Messi’s name to rile him up. He also got a yellow card during the match. Ighalo will be back in action against Al-Ittihad in the King’s Cup of Champions semi-finals on Sunday, April 23.

Celebration cristiano Ighalo imitates Messis Ronaldo

World Cup final referee responds to criticism that trailed Lionel Messi’s extra-time goal

Szymon Marciniak, the Polish referee who officiated the 2022 World Cup final has responded to claims that Lionel Messi’s extra-time goal should have been disallowed.

Recall that Messi’s goal gave Argentina a 3-2 lead during extra time before Kylian Mbappe converted a penalty for France. The match proceeded to a penalty shootout which Argentina won 4-2.
Days after the conclusion of the tournament, the French media stated that Argentina’s third goal should have been disallowed due to the encroachment of substitutes on the pitch.

Responding to the claim during a press conference yesterday, December 23, Marciniak held up a photo that showed that French players were also guilty of the same when Mbappe converted a penalty they were awarded.
He said;
“The French didn’t mention this photo, where you can see how there are seven Frenchmen on the pitch when Mbappe scores a goal.”

Szymon Marciniak, the referee for the World Cup Final, has responded to @lequipe’s criticism that Lionel Messi’s second goal shouldn’t have counted:
“The French didn’t mention this photo, where you can see how there are seven Frenchmen on the pitch when Mbappé scores a goal.” pic.twitter.com/MW6y73iiLN
— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) December 23, 2022

criticism Cup extratime final goal Lionel Messis referee responds trailed world

7-year-old tweet predicting Messi’s world cup win pops up

An old tweet dated, 20th March 2015 predicting Messi’s win at the World Cup in Qatar pops up following Argentina’s win.

It was all joy for the fans and the national team of Argentina after the national team emerged as winners of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Amidst the jubilation on social media, an old tweet dated seven years back from a Twitter user identified as ‘Jose Miguel Palanco’ has popped up causing a stir online.
In the tweet, the young man predicted that on the 18th of December, 2022, the Captain of the National team Argentina will be 34 years old and will also emerge as the winner at the World Cup and also become the Greatest of All Times (GOAT).
He tweeted, “December 18th, 2022. 34-year-old Leo Messi will win the World Cup and become the greatest of all times. Check back with me in 7 years”.
See the screenshot below…

7yearold Cup Messis pops predicting TWEET win world