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10 months ago
58 ARTICLE AD
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.
Written by:
Manu Tournoux is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Manu discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team. As an author for the website, Manu's expertise includes not only in-depth analysis of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches but also insightful profiles of up-and-coming talents, detailed transfer news, and engaging coverage of the French national team. His captivating writing style and undeniable passion for the game have earned him a loyal following among our readers. When he's not crafting engaging articles for French Football Weekly, Manu enjoys attending live matches whenever he can, exploring football culture in various French cities, and engaging in spirited debates with fellow fans. Feel free to follow Manu on Twitter and interact with him as he shares his expert opinions, insights, and love for French football.
