Argentine football legend Lionel Messi shocked the world when he announced his departure from Barcelona in August 2021. During an emotional farewell press conference, Messi struggled to hold back tears as he bid adieu to the club where he had spent his entire professional career. This poignant moment has now taken a surprising and rather unusual turn.
The tissue Messi used to wipe his tears during the press conference has been put up for auction. The tissue, now listed on the website Meikeduo, carries an astonishing asking price of $1 million. An anonymous individual, who reportedly picked up the tissue after Messi discarded it in the bin, reported Gulf Today, decided to sell it online. This person seemingly hopes to make a fortune from the emotional value of the tissue.
The listing quickly became a viral sensation. Screenshots of the advertisement spread rapidly across social media platforms, capturing the attention and disbelief of fans and onlookers alike. The ad claims that the tissue contains Messi’s “genetic material,” suggesting the far-fetched notion that it could be used to clone a footballer of Messi’s caliber.
The ad remains live on the international auction website, but as of now, the memorabilia has not been sold. The caption boldly claims that this piece of Messi merchandise holds his “genetic material,” enticing potential buyers with the possibility of owning a unique piece of football history.
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The reaction to the tissue auction has been mixed. While some see it as a quirky way to commemorate Messi’s farewell, others view it as an opportunistic attempt to profit from an emotional moment. The idea of selling a used tissue for such a high price has sparked debates about the value of memorabilia and the lengths to which people will go to own a piece of a superstar’s history.
This isn’t the first time an item associated with Messi has made headlines. Early in his career, Messi signed his first contract with Barcelona on a paper napkin, sealing the deal with the club’s technical secretary, Carles Rexach. This napkin became part of football folklore and is preserved in a wooden photo frame as a historic piece of memorabilia.
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During the farewell press conference, Messi expressed his deep sorrow at leaving Barcelona, stating, “It is the worst moment of my life. I felt the love of the people and reciprocated their love and respect here.” Despite his desire to stay, financial regulations imposed by La Liga made it impossible for the club to retain him.
The tissue saga adds an unusual chapter to Messi’s storied career. The tissue, soaked with his tears, has become a symbol of the end of an era at Barcelona. Whether or not it finds a buyer at the million-dollar asking price, the tissue represents the deep emotional connection fans have with Messi and the sometimes strange lengths people will go to own a piece of sports history.
