Messi and the shirt that started it all: the origin of a legend

Lionel Messi continues to make an impact even away from the pitch. While shining with Inter Miami and maintaining his status as a global football icon, a unique piece of his past has once again placed him at the center of the worldwide conversation: the very first shirt he wore at just five years old in Rosario. This is not just another jersey, but the starting point of a career that redefined the history of the sport.

The garment dates back to his time at Club Abanderado Grandoli in 1993, during the first tournament Messi ever won. In a market where sports memorabilia reaches record-breaking figures, this shirt represents something far deeper: the exact moment when the legend of the most influential Argentine footballer of all time began to be written.

A relic with history, family, and authenticity

The value of this shirt does not lie solely in the name attached to it today, but in its intimate and well-documented journey. After that childhood championship, the shirt was handed to coach Pablo Alfieri, who kept it for years as a reminder of his formative coaching days. After his passing, the shirt remained within his family, carefully preserved as a personal treasure.

That chain of custody, gives it an emotional authenticity few items can claim. From the neighborhood pitches of Rosario to the radar of elite international collectors, the shirt connects Messi the child with Messi the myth, a detail that exponentially increases its appeal in the world of sports memorabilia.

Million-dollar expectations and the precedent of historic auctions

Although there is still no official date, starting price, or public lot, the expectation surrounding this auction is massive. The recent precedent is striking: shirts worn by Messi during the 2022 World Cup sold for $7.8 million at an international auction. If items from his era of glory reached astronomical figures, the potential of this foundational shirt becomes even more fascinating.

Memorabilia experts agree that items linked to the “first moment” of a legend are often the most coveted. This is not just a sports object, but a fragment of history that marks the beginning of an unrepeatable journey. The secrecy surrounding the sale, rather than cooling interest, fuels speculation and elevates its symbolic value.

Cultural impact and an eternal legacy on a shirt

This auction, when it finally takes place, goes beyond economics. It represents the emotional bond between generations of fans who grew up watching Messi and new collectors who understand his impact as a global cultural phenomenon. The Grandoli shirt not only recalls the child who dreamed of playing football, but the athlete who forever changed perceptions of talent, consistency, and greatness.

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