The replica World Cup trophy carried by Lionel Messi after Argentina's 2022 victory will go under the hammer as part of an exclusive auction.
The replica will headline the inaugural Sports Memorabilia Auction by Richmond Auctions on 7 November, with one of sport's most iconic pieces up for grabs.
A Historic Night in Qatar
The trophy was carried onto the pitch by the legendary Messi after one of the greatest finals ever played, with the Argentinian scoring twice to fire his country to a third global triumph despite Kylian Mbappé netting a hat-trick for France.
As the celebrations rolled on long after the final whistle, the replica made its way from the stands into the players' hands and was passed from champion to champion for 45 minutes during their on-pitch celebrations.
Signed by the Squad
It went on to star in many of the most widely shared images from that night, including Messi lifting and kissing it - a picture that, nearly four years on, remains the most liked in Instagram's history.
Before the night was over, the replica was also signed by eight members of the victorious squad, with the item's proof of provenance referencing players including Lautaro Martínez, Leandro Paredes, Guido Rodríguez and Ángel Di María, who scored Argentina's second goal in the final.
Jordan Richmond, Founder of Richmond Auctions, said: "Some objects tell the story of a sporting moment; very few were physically part of it. This replica started life as one supporter's tribute and ended up at the heart of one of the greatest nights football has ever seen, passed from player to player and lifted by one of the greatest players of all time. To launch our first Sports Memorabilia Auction with a piece carrying that kind of history is a real privilege, and we expect strong interest from football collectors all over the world."
Auction Details and Additional Lots
The auction will take place on Saturday 7 November 2026 at 4:00pm GMT (11:00am ET). Alongside the replica, included in the same lot will be a 2022 Panini Instant Lionel Messi #118 FIFA World Cup Qatar/PSA 10 GEM MINT, creating a unique connection between the collectible card and the moment it commemorates. The card captures Lionel Messi celebrating Argentina's victory over France, holding the replica World Cup trophy, and represents a long-awaited milestone in his legendary career.
The sale itself features a further 363 lots, from rare trading cards to signed memorabilia spanning basketball, baseball and American football. Other highlights include a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle, one of the most sought-after cards in the hobby, and a Michael Jordan autograph card from Upper Deck's 2001-02 Buybacks set, numbered 1 of just 10.
Richmond Auctions is a US-based auction house specialising in rare, investment-grade advertising and automotive collectibles. The November sale marks its first move into dedicated sports memorabilia.
