Lionel Messi rookie card sells for nearly $117K

A high-end copy of what could be considered the holy grail of modern soccer cards hit the auction block recently and sold for an insane amount.

A 2004 Panini Sports Mega Cracks Lionel Messi rookie card, which was graded PSA 10 and is in gem mint condition, sold for $116,988 on eBay this week. 

The card shows a 17-year-old Messi as he began his climb up the professional ranks with Barcelona, where he has become one of the greatest players of all time.

The Messi rookie card certainly has much more value now than it ever has. Messi's future at Camp Nou is up in the air after he called out Barca's management and showed disinterest in remaining with the club this season. He only decided to stay because he didn't want to take the team to court. 

The Argentinian's contract with Barcelona expires after this season, and all signs point toward him signing with a new club after president Josep Maria Bartomeu and manager Ronald Koeman ousted his good friend, Luis Suarez, from the team recently, only further disgruntling the 33-year-old. 

A 2003 Panini Mega Craques Cristiano Ronaldo rookie card also sold for $41,211 on the same day.