Lionel Messi’s first-ever Barcelona contract, famously scrawled on a napkin, is set to go to auction as the Blaugrana pass up on the chance to display it in the club museum.

Lionel Messi’s first-ever contract with Barcelona holds a significant place in the annals of football history. This historic document, initially written on a humble napkin back in 2000, is set to be auctioned by Bonhams in London. The agreement, reached between Barcelona, Messi’s agent Horacio Gaggioli, and his representative Josep Maria Minguella on December 14, 2000, was recorded in a most unconventional manner by Blaugrana director Carles Rexach, who famously opted to jot down the terms on a napkin.

As the auction approaches, the anticipation and excitement surrounding this unique item continue to grow. The starting price for this piece of football history has been set at £300,000 ($381,000), reflecting the immense significance and impact of this contract on Lionel Messi’s career and the footballing world.

This napkin, though seemingly modest, symbolizes a pivotal juncture in Messi’s journey and the trajectory of FC Barcelona. Its unconventional origin story adds to its allure, with reports suggesting that its creation was prompted by Gaggioli’s revelation of interest from Real Madrid. Barcelona, initially hesitant to secure Messi despite his impressive trial period, found themselves in a unique situation when a traditional paper contract wasn’t readily available during the crucial meeting. Carles Rexach’s on-the-spot decision to create a legally binding document on a napkin stands as a testament to the extraordinary circumstances surrounding Messi’s early days at the club.

Ian Ehling, head of fine books and manuscripts at Bonhams New York, aptly captured the significance of the impending auction, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of this footballing relic. He expressed, “This is one of the most thrilling items I have ever handled. Yes, it’s a paper napkin, but it’s the famous napkin that was at the inception of Lionel Messi’s career. It changed the life of Messi, the future of FC Barcelona, and was instrumental in giving some of the most glorious moments of football to billions of fans around the globe.”

Moreover, the journey of Messi’s first-ever contract has taken numerous interesting turns. Previously in the possession of Minguella, who had intended to offer it to Barcelona for display in the club’s museum, the contract now finds itself destined for an auction, with Minguella expressing his intention to donate the proceeds to Barcelona’s foundation.

This saga of a humble napkin transforming into a symbol of football history underscores the profound influence and significance attached to Lionel Messi’s early career and the far-reaching impact of this extraordinary piece of memorabilia.