Six of Lionel Messi's 2022 FIFA World Cup shirts were auctioned off for a staggering R141 million ($7.8million), but it fell short of the all-time record held by another sporting legend.
The 36-year-old guided the South Americans to their third World Cup title in Qatar last year after overcoming France in the final on penalties.
Six of the Argentine's game-worn jerseys were put up Sotheby's auction in New York, with the winning bid bringing in $7.8million, according to BBC Sport.
The six shirts up for action were from two group stage matches, the last 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final.
Messi also made history in those shirts as he became the first player in World Cup history to score in every single round of the World Cup.
"A portion of the proceeds from the auction will be donated to Unicas Project, led by Sant Joan de Deu Barcelona Children's Hospital with the support of the Leo Messi Foundation, to meet the needs of children suffering from rare diseases," the Sotheby statement said.
However, the $7.8million fell short of the all-time record which is held by Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan, whose Game 1 1998 NBA final jersey sold for $10.1million at last year's auction in New York.
The football record is held by the late Diego Maradona for his famous 'Hand of God' jersey, which sold for $9.3million.
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