Lionel Messi's first unofficial contract with Barcelona was written on a napkin when the superstar was just 13 years old, and now that item has sold at auction for $964,450 (including buyer's premium), per Will Stern of Cllct.
The napkin was offered at Bonhams in London on behalf of Messi's Argentine agent, Horacio Gaggioli, with a starting bid of £300,000 (or about $380,000). Per Stern, there was a "flurry of activity" in the final 30 minutes, and the lot entered extended bidding before landing on the final price.
The contract reads as follows:
"In Barcelona, on 14 December 2000 and in the presence of Messrs Minguella and Horacio, Carles Rexach, FC Barcelona's sporting director, hereby agrees, under his responsibility and regardless of any dissenting opinions, to sign the player Lionel Messi, provided that we keep to the amounts agreed upon.