The napkin used during Lionel Messi's signing with Barcelona has officially begun online auctioning

The napkin used during Lionel Messi's signing with Barcelona has officially begun online auctioning through Bonhams auction house, with the current price standing at £220,000. The auction house estimated the price to range from £300,000 to £500,000, and the auction deadline is set for 12 p.m. on May 17th, local time in the UK.

Reportedly, this item has been kept in a safe and was provided by one of the negotiators representing Messi and Barcelona, namely, Jorge Messi. The story behind this napkin is well-known and has been explained by relevant individuals. On December 14th, 2000, during a meeting at the Pompeia Tennis Club, Carles Rexach, Josep Maria Minguella, and Jorge Messi promised Barcelona would sign Lionel Messi.

When Messi's family began to worry about not receiving an official response from the club, Rexach promised to ensure his signing with the following written statement: "On December 14, 2000, in Barcelona, witnessed by Mr. Minguella and Mr. Jorge Messi, Carles Rexach, the technical director of FC Barcelona, undertook to sign the player Lionel Messi within his area of responsibility, as long as we are in agreement on the amount agreed upon." Rexach later signed this napkin, and Messi also signed it after obtaining his family's consent.

However, one of the participants at the time, Minguella, did not agree with this auction. In an interview, he stated that this napkin had been in his office for many years. He had offered Barcelona the opportunity to display this napkin in the club's museum, but Barcelona did not respond. He now plans to ask lawyers to determine who the rightful owner of this napkin is and how anyone can prove lawful ownership and sell it. Minguella insists he does not want to profit from this napkin; he would rather see it in the Barcelona museum, or if it is sold, the proceeds will be donated to the club's foundation.