SIX shirts worn by Lionel Messi during Argentina’s triumphant run at the 2022 World Cup were sold for US$7.8 million at an auction in New York on Thursday (Dec 14).

Auction house Sotheby’s said the price for the set of shirts shattered the previous record for the sale of an item associated with the player, making it the most valuable sporting memorabilia auctioned this year.

The collection included the shirt Messi wore during the first half of the final against France in Qatar.

“These historic shirts are not only a tangible reminder of one of the most important moments in the history of sports but are principally connected to the pinnacle moment in the career of the most decorated football player in history,” Sotheby’s Head of Modern Collectables Brahm Wachter said.

Michael Jordan’s jersey from the opening game of the 1998 NBA Final holds the record for the highest price paid for a game-worn sports memorabilia item, fetching US$10.1 million last year. REUTERS