Lionel Messi extends his impact beyond the soccer field, demonstrating a keen awareness of social issues. In a philanthropic move, he has generously donated six jerseys worn during the recent Qatar 2022 World Cup to Sotheby’s auction house. These unique shirts, worn in matches against Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Australia, the Netherlands, Croatia, and France, hold special significance as they witnessed Argentina’s triumph in the World Cup.
The auction, set to take place from November 30 to December 14, will showcase Messi’s commitment to making a difference. In an Instagram post to his nearly 500 million followers, Messi announced the initiative, stating, “Six World Cup shirts. One auction. Today, my friends at @acmomento are announcing an auction at @sothebys for six shirts I wore during the World Cup in Qatar, including my shirt from the Final.”
What makes these jerseys even more noteworthy is their estimated value of $10 million. However, their importance goes beyond monetary worth, as Messi emphasized that a portion of the proceeds will be dedicated to the UNICAS Project. This initiative, led by the Sant Joan de Déu Children’s Hospital (SJD) in Barcelona, aims to support children facing rare diseases, underscoring Messi’s commitment to using his platform for meaningful and impactful causes.