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Legendary Lionel Messi Makes History Without Doing Anything

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Abdul Bari Khan | Last updated Aug 28, 2025 2:39 PM ET

Lionel Messi is one of the greatest soccer players of all time. At 38, the Argentine continued to showcase his magic with two goals against Orlando City, sending Inter Miami to the Leagues Cup Final. But history wasn’t made on the field; it unfolded somewhere Messi wasn’t even present.

The MLS star has shattered countless records worldwide and has very few trophies left to chase. He remains the biggest name in global sports, and the latest news only reinforces that fact.

History follows Lionel Messi

Messi has always been soccer’s most marketable player in the trading card world, with Brazilian icon Pele coming the closest to him. Whether it’s the South American legends or Cristiano Ronaldo, the demand for rookie cards of these stars has always remained sky-high.

On Thursday, Fanatics confirmed that a rare PSA 10 card from Lionel Messi’s first year at FC Barcelona was sold in a private sale. While the exact figure wasn’t disclosed, reports suggest the card went for over $1 million. This marks history as the first Messi trading card to be sold for seven figures. Much like the icon himself, the rookie memorabilia is no stranger to making history.

BREAKING: This rare PSA 10 rookie card just became the first $1M+ Lionel Messi trading card in history.

We’re excited to announce that we recently brokered this record-setting private sale. pic.twitter.com/DtFrHGfuOJ
— Fanatics Collect (@FanaticsCollect) August 28, 2025

Prior to this, the card already ranked among Messi’s most valuable, having sold in 2021 for a reported $336,000. Meanwhile, Pele’s cards from 1957 and 1958 fetched $486,000 and $372,000, respectively. The crown, however, went to Messi after the sale of his 2014 Prizm World Cup Gold Prizm #12 in 2022.

Now, Messi’s rookie card has shattered that record; selling for more than double the previous amount. Based on overall analysis, the Barcelona legend may have just set history again by having the most expensive soccer trading card of all time. And with Messi still in contention to defend his World Cup title next year, it’s safe to say this won’t be the last piece of history attached to his name.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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