Messi's Qatar World Cup jerseys sold for whopping amount at auction, falls short of most valuable jersey of all time

NEW YORK: There are not many in world football that can come close to Argentine captain and Inter Miami footballer Lionel Messi in skill as well as brand value. This is evidenced by the amount received at auction for the jerseys used by Messi in the Qatar World Cup.

Last year, Argentina won the World Cup in Qatar as Messi and his team put an end to the fans' 36-year wait by beating defending champions France in the final. Six jerseys used by Messi in this legendary World Cup were put up for auction.

These jerseys were sold at $7.8 million (INR 65 crores). This also includes the jersey worn by Messi in the first half of the World Cup final. Argentina played against Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland, Australia, Netherlands, Croatia and France in the World Cup. Messi's World Cup jerseys are now the most valuable set of jerseys ever auctioned in football.

"These historic shirts are not only a tangible reminder of one of the most important moments in the history of sports but are principally connected to the pinnacle moment in the career of the most decorated football player in history," auction house Sotheby’s head of modern collectables Brahm Wachter said.

Messi's jerseys are second most valuable item ever auctioned as it fell short by Michael Jordan's jersey worn in the opening game of the 1998 NBA Finals. That jersey was sold for $10.1 million.