Argentina's government has been forced to mediate in a dispute over a shortage of Panini World Cup stickers, as demand reaches fever pitch ahead of the Qatar 2022 tournament. The Argentine Ministry of Commerce held a meeting with vendors and Panini's local group to address the crisis, after news stands accused the company of prioritising sales to supermarkets and online retailers.
News vendors report selling out of packs within hours, with some facing angry customers who have 'tried to smash up their kiosks' in frustration. The packs, containing five stickers each, are part of a 700-sticker album covering all 32 teams. In the UK, packs cost around 90p, but in Argentina, black market prices have soared, with Lionel Messi stickers fetching up to £450 on eBay.
The shortage is partly attributed to heightened interest following Argentina's Copa America victory and the possibility that this could be Messi's last World Cup. The government has opened a dialogue channel between vendors and Panini, offering legal and technical support to find a solution.
Meanwhile, Messi's wife Antonela Roccuzzo shared a photo of their son Mateo proudly holding his father's sticker, highlighting the personal significance of the collection for many fans.
