In 2000, Lionel Messi left Newell’s Old Boys to join FC Barcelona.
The transaction was concluded at the time by Horacio Gaggioli, Messi’s agent, and to mark the event, the “contract” which was used to organize the transaction was signed on a napkin by the Argentine, Gaggioli, Carles Rexach, who was the technical secretary of FC Barcelona, and Josep Maria Minguella.
A napkin worth gold
The towel is well known and is considered an important part of the recent history of FC Barcelona. Gaggioli has kept it in immaculate condition for the past 24 years, but according to La Vanguardia (via MD), he made the decision to sell it at auction.
Bonhams, a prestigious British specialist company, will auction the towel between March 18 and 27. The sale price is estimated between £300,000 (around €350,000) and £500,000 (€585,000). Gaggioli assured that the towel would go to FC Barcelona, given the importance it had in Messi’s arrival at the club.
