Lionel Messi's Barcelona Jersey Outbids Cristiano Ronaldo's Real Madrid Shirt at Auction for Over INR 63 Lakhs
A Lionel Messi FC Barcelona jersey from an August 8, 2012, friendly against Manchester United has sold for an impressive $66,107 at a recent auction. The signed, match-worn shirt from the Rod Thornley Collection significantly outpaced a Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid jersey from the 2014-15 season, which fetched $10,601.
A signed Lionel Messi FC Barcelona jersey has once again asserted the Argentine maestro's dominance, this time off the pitch, fetching an impressive $66,107 at auction. The significant sale comfortably surpassed the price achieved by a Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid jersey from the same highly anticipated collection, highlighting the enduring allure of Messi's memorabilia. Lionel Messi Stars on Comeback for Inter Miami, Scores First Goal Since Father's Death (Watch Video).
Lionel Messi Jersey More Costlier Than Cristiano Ronaldo's
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙊𝘼𝙏𝙨 🐐🐐
A match-worn Messi #10 from his 91-goal year, and a Ronaldo Real Madrid shirt signed with a personal message to Rod.
This is the kind of access you get when you're in the locker room – and masseur Rod Thornley was in Manchester United's for almost 20… pic.twitter.com/8Ivax1lZJP
— MatchWornShirt (@MatchWornShirt) August 12, 2026
The coveted Messi shirt was worn during FC Barcelona's pre-season friendly against Manchester United on August 8, 2012, a match that ended in a 0-0 draw. Following the game, the jersey was personally signed by Messi for Rod Thornley, a long-serving masseur for Manchester United, adding a unique provenance to the item. The personal connection and the fact that it was match-worn likely contributed to its exceptional value.
In stark contrast, a Cristiano Ronaldo jersey from his Real Madrid tenure, specifically a match-issued (but not necessarily match-worn) shirt from the 2014-15 season, sold for $10,601. While still a substantial amount for football memorabilia, Ronaldo's shirt garnered more than six times less than his perennial rival's, underscoring the remarkable difference in perceived value in this particular auction.
Both iconic jerseys were part of the 'Rod Thornley Collection,' auctioned through the specialist platform MatchWornShirt. Thornley's unique position within the Manchester United dressing room allowed him to build a remarkable collection of football shirts over the years, with the Messi piece standing out as the crown jewel of this recent sale. Hossam Hassan, Egypt Football Team Coach, Collapses After Alleged Fight Between Two Wives ( Watch Video).
Auction Highlights
| Player | Team | Season/Match Details | Status | Sale Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lionel Messi | FC Barcelona | Pre-season friendly vs. Man Utd, August 8, 2012 | Match-worn | $66,107 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid | 2014-15 season | Match-issued | $10,601 |
The auction results once again reaffirm the immense market for football memorabilia, particularly items associated with the sport's biggest legends. While both Messi and Ronaldo continue to command global attention, this recent auction clearly demonstrated a premium placed on the authenticated match-worn history of Messi's career-defining era at Barcelona.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 21, 2026 10:29 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
