- Messi agreement written on napkin in 2000
- Agent has opted to put famous deal on auction
- Could sell for as much as £500,000
Getty ImagesLionel Messi's unofficial first-ever Barcelona contract - scribbled on a napkin - goes on sale at auction for eye-watering amount
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Protect 14 devices with the top ExpressVPN plan
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Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's top-tier Express Pro plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.
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Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's entry-level Basic plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.
The VPN can be applied across 10 different devices simultaneously, and offers Lite Protection that blocks ads and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.
Additionally, ExpressVPN's Basic plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 10MB/month private email relay plus 10 shared aliases.
There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 80%.
Over 28 monthsSave 80%
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Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.
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Additionally, ExpressVPN's Advanced plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 100MB/month private email relay plus 50 shared aliases and a custom domain, and ExpressKeys, which gives users a password management facility for an unlimited number of passwords plus a 2FA authenticator.
There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 73%. Both longer-term plans include a 3GB holiday.com eSIM that is valid for three days in 150+ destinations.
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Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Barca's commitment to sign the Argentine was made when the iconic attacker was just 13 years old. Although Messi impressed during a trial with the Catalan side, the club were unsure about signing him and Gaggioli told club director Carles Rexach that he would be offered to other clubs and could end up joining Real Madrid if no deal was offered.
Desperate to prevent the club from missing out on him, Rexach wanted to make the deal official while discussing the matter over dinner with the agent. He did not have the time to have a legally binding document drawn up, though, and instead wrote up a commitment on a napkin.
GettyWHAT NEXT?
As Messi went on to become Barcelona's greatest-ever player and arguably the best to ever grace the game, winning 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns with the club and even the World Cup with Argentina, the napkin has become an iconic piece of football memorabilia. The napkin is expected to earn upwards of £300,000 and could even go as high as £500,000.
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