One of the most repeated stories from 21st-century football did not even take place on the field.
It is a tale that has assumed the status of myths and legends that could probably only be surpassed if the deed had been done in blood.
Lionel Messi's inimitable career at Barcelona — almost inarguably the greatest stint at any club by any player in history — began with a contract signed on a napkin.
That napkin was put up for auction by British house Bonhams. The bidding closed on May 17 after one lucky bidder chose to pay an astonishing sum.
So, how much did this unique piece of Messi memorabilia fetch?
MORE: Is Lionel Messi playing today? Inter Miami latest news
Lionel Messi napkin auction sale price
Such a piece of football history does not come cheap. Bonhams listed the item with a starting price of £300,000 ($379,000). In the end, it sold for an astonishing $965,000, although a percentage of that sum will cover costs of the online auction.
"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," Ian Ehling, the head of fine books and manuscripts at Bonhams New York, said in a statement.
"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."
What's the story of the Lionel Messi contract napkin?
The napkins bears the date December 14, 2000, with the signatures of Argentine agent Horacio Gaggioli and Barcelona's then-sporting director Carles Rexach.
It reads: "In Barcelona, on Dec. 14, 2000, in the presence of [Josep Maria] Minguella and Horacio [Gaggioli], Carles Rexach, FC Barcelona's sporting director, hereby agrees, under his responsibility and regardless of any dissenting opinions, to sign the player Lionel Messi provided that we keep to the amounts agreed upon."
Messi had travelled to Barcelona as a 13-year-old for a trial and Rexach was instantly besotted.
"What I will never forget is that a walk of three to four minutes, whatever it takes to walk around the pitch, took me 15 minutes because I was stunned and excited watching him, seeing what he did with the ball, his movements, his dribbles and his vision," he recalled, as quoted by ESPN.
"I knew that was him, without anyone telling me, because he was the smallest on the pitch by a long way and I could see something very different in him. I got to the bench, sat down and I told the two coaches that were there: 'Sign him. Don't even think about it. And if anyone asks, tell them it's my decision.'"
Attention soccer fans! Lionel Messi's Barcelona pre-contract written on a napkin when he was only 13 is up for auction. https://t.co/oK1fmMsVdr pic.twitter.com/np8g0e0joo
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) May 11, 2024
However, the matter dragged on and Rexach sensed Messi's father Jorge was getting cold feet. Fears that another club could swoop in led to a dinnertime with a difference.
"Jorge thought [Barca] were stalling. I wasn't there and don't know exactly how things were, but when I met with Jorge I realised he wasn't clear on anything," he said. "I suppose he didn't trust [Barca] and he seemed desperate, so one night I met with Minguella and Horacio at the Pompeya tennis club and, speaking with Jorge on the phone, he told me: 'If this isn't sorted soon, we're going. I have to return to Buenos Aires and I don't see anything happening.' That was when, thinking on my feet, I decided everything."
Rexach added: "Why a napkin? Because it was the only thing I had available to hand. I saw the only way to relax Jorge was signing something, giving him some proof, so I asked for a napkin from the waiter."
