What happened to Lionel Messi's 'missing' World Cup shirt that could be worth millions

Six of Lionel Messi's World Cup shirts are to go to auction in what could be the most valuable collection of sports memorabilia in history.

Messi completed football by leading Argentina to a first World Cup triumph since 1986 in Qatar, winning the Golden Ball after scoring seven goals and registering three assists.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner bagged a brace in a breathtaking final against France, with Argentina triumphing on penalties following a 3-3 draw at the Lusail Stadium.

Messi has spoken of the joy he felt when he lifted the Jules Rimet trophy and yet he will not have any of his shirts to remember the achievement.

That's because the 36-year-old has announced six of his jerseys, including the one worn in the final, are being auctioned off.

Sotheby's estimate the collection could go for a whopping £8 million, just short of the record 1998 NBA Finals jersey of Michael Jordan.

A chunk of the profits are going to the Unicas Project and will help children suffering from rare illnesses.

But Messi actually played seven games in the 2022 World Cup and so we hear you ask, where is the other one?

Well, the answer is plain and simple.The missing shirt in question is from the round of 16, when Argentina beat Australia 2-1.

Messi opened the scoring against the Aussies, who he could have actually played for.

Hearts midfielder Cameron Devlin managed to get Messi's shirt despite not even playing a single minute at the World Cup.

Messi promised him the jersey and they swapped tops after Messi was presented with the Player of the Match award.

The shirt is extra special as it is from Messi's 1000th game as a footballer.

But after bringing it home, the former Newcastle Jets man left it in the hands of his family and admitted he was unaware of where the souvenir ended up.

He told Sky Sports: "The jersey is locked up in a bank back home, so I don’t even know where it is to be honest – my family took care of that and I have no idea where it is.

"I think it is best that way. In the years to come, it’s a cool memento to have, definitely, but at the moment it’s in the bank."

Should Devlin look to cash in, like former England player Steve Hodge did with Diego Maradona's 1986 World Cup shirt, he could rake in a serious amount of money.

Featured Image Credit: Sotheby's

Topics: Argentina, Lionel Messi, Football World Cup, Australia

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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