NEW YORK, Nov 20, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - A set of six jerseys that Lionel Messi 
wore during Argentina's victorious 2022 World Cup run will be auctioned in 
December, Sotheby's announced Monday, estimating their value at $10 million.

The football star donned these shirts during the first halves of the group-
stage rounds against Saudi Arabia and Mexico, as well as later games against 
Australia, the Netherlands and Croatia -- and the final against France.

Argentina's winning run in Qatar last year was the final feather in the 
forward's cap, having failed to secure the championship in four previous 
World Cups.

If the jerseys indeed fetch above $10 million, that could make the sale the 
most valuable collection of sports memorabilia ever auctioned off, Sotheby's 
said.

The most expensive individual jersey ever sold at auction was one that 
basketball legend Michael Jordan wore during his NBA finals run with the 
Chicago Bulls in 1998.

It sold for $10.1 million last year.

Auction houses have increasingly taken note of sports memorabilia in recent 
years, considered a growing market.

The shirts are being brought to auction by US tech startup AC Momento, which 
helps athletes manage memorabilia collections.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the UNICAS Project, an 
initiative with a Barcelona children's hospital that helps kids with rare 
diseases.

The jerseys will be available for free public viewing when they are up for 
auction, from November 30 to December 14.