Lionel Messi‘s signed thousands of autographs throughout his legendary career … but how’d you like to own one of his first John Hancock’s?! Well, with a fat enough bank account, it can be yours.
Before Messi, now 34 years old, scored a single goal for Barcelona (he’s netted 672 goals), he played for a team named called Newell’s Old Boys sports club — a soccer team for 8 to 12 year old boys — in Argentina.
Goldin Auctions got their hands on an awesome, 20+ year old identification card formerly owned by Messi … complete with a very child-like signature.
Leo — who was recently transferred to Paris Saint-Germain — printed his name LIONEL MESSI.
Beckett — one of the most respected authenticators in the game — gave the laminated card their stamp of approval, declaring it “authentic,” grading the autograph a gem mint 10 (“pristine”) rating.
The 3x Ballon d’Or winner joined the club as an 8-year-old in 1995 … and they were almost unstoppable. In fact, the squad was nicknamed “The Machine of ’87”.
Lionel averaged more than a goal a game with Newell.
And Messi isn’t the only professional soccer player the club has produced … Abel Balbo, Jorge Valdano and Gabriel Batistuta, amongst many others, have suited up for the team.
The one-of-a-kind memorabilia hit the auction block late Monday night … and has a starting bid of $10K.
Auction closes October 23. Good luck!!