FC Barcelona

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Napkin securing Lionel Messi's first contract fetches nearly $1 million at auction

Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami smiles in the game against CF Montréal during the first half at Saputo Stadium on May 11 in Montreal, Canada. Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images hide caption

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Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

Sports

Napkin securing Lionel Messi's first contract fetches nearly $1 million at auction

May 18, 2024 • The handwritten restaurant napkin from the year 2000 was the starting point for an agreement between the then 13-year-old Messi and FC Barcelona.

Napkin used to secure Messi's first contract with FC Barcelona to be sold at auction

The famous napkin is to be offered by Bonhams from March 18 to 27. Bonhams hide caption

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Bonhams

Sports

Napkin used to secure Messi's first contract with FC Barcelona to be sold at auction

February 2, 2024 • Soccer star Lionel Messi's first unofficial contract with FC Barcelona was done on a napkin. It's now going to auction with a starting bid of nearly $400,000.

After 17 Seasons With FC Barcelona, Lionel Messi Is Leaving

Lionel Messi waves at a Barcelona crowd in 2019. Barcelona says Lionel Messi will not stay with the club. Manu Fernandez/AP hide caption

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Manu Fernandez/AP

Sports

After 17 Seasons With FC Barcelona, Lionel Messi Is Leaving

August 5, 2021 • "Due to economic and structural obstacles" in LaLiga regulations, Messi will depart less than a month after making a verbal agreement on a 5-year deal, the club said in a statement.

FC Barcelona: Police Raid Stadium In Financial Crimes Investigation

Journalists line the front gate of FC Barcelona offices on Monday during a police operation inside. Lluis Gene/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Lluis Gene/AFP via Getty Images

Sports

FC Barcelona: Police Raid Stadium In Financial Crimes Investigation

March 1, 2021 • Local media report the club's former president and current CEO were arrested. The raid follows allegations that club officials hired a marketing firm to discredit its critics, including Lionel Messi.

Famed Barcelona Footballers Will Only Fly With Female Flight Attendants

Lionel Messi (second from left) and some of his Barcelona teammates during a match last weekend. Javier Soriano/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Javier Soriano/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Famed Barcelona Footballers Will Only Fly With Female Flight Attendants

September 18, 2012 • Lionel Messi and his teammates are tired of being asked for autographs by male members of Turkish Airlines' crews, the club says. So, the soccer team has asked that only women be on board with the team. The airline — the team's official carrier — has agreed.