Messi’s ‘napkin deal’
Jorge Messi, father of the then-13-year-old Lionel, was threatening to take the young gun back to his native country, Argentina, as the Barcelona deal had hit a roadblock. However, a meeting happened between Jorge, sports agents Horacio Gaggioli, and Josep Maria Minguella, and Barcelona’s then-sporting director, Carles Rexach, on December 14, 2000. This meeting, held at a tennis club, was mostly about reassuring Messi’s father not to take Leo back to the country and that the Barcelona deal would ultimately follow through. When Jorge was adamant about his stand, a piece of paper was summoned by the people at the table but they received a napkin instead.
Also Read: ICC T20 World Cup Cricket in US: Where to watch live streaming, stadium, tickets, team news, more
Who were the signatories?
That very napkin bore the signature of agents and the Barca sporting director to assure Jorge about Messi’s future at Barcelona. This famous napkin has now been auctioned at a record amount of $965,000 by a British auction house Bonhams on behalf of Horacio Gaggioli. It bears the date of the meeting that took place and also the signatures of the people sitting at that very table in the Barcelona tennis club.
A napkin that paid off
A detailed contract for Lionel Messi came in soon after this napkin deal which saw Messi spending almost two decades with this La Liga club, winning them countless matches as their ace goal-scorer for ages. Messi played 17 seasons in the main Barca squad and has been the pillar of the countless number of trophy wins at the domestic as well as international circuits for the team.
FAQs
1. Barcelona FC plays for which footballing league?
Barcelona FC, based in Spain, plays in the La Liga football league that boasts of iconic teams like Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, and others, alongside top-notch renowned footballers.
2. Which two teams play the El Clasico?
Considered one of the biggest football clashes in the universe, Real Madrid and Barcelona’s encounters are termed as El Clasico and these matches are the most intense due to the epic rivalry between these two La Liga teams.
Disclaimer Statement: This content is authored by a 3rd party. The views expressed here are that of the respective authors/ entities and do not represent the views of Economic Times (ET). ET does not guarantee, vouch for or endorse any of its contents nor is responsible for them in any manner whatsoever. Please take all steps necessary to ascertain that any information and content provided is correct, updated, and verified. ET hereby disclaims any and all warranties, express or implied, relating to the report and any content therein.
