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During Lionel Messi's Farewell Match in the Argentina Jersey, the Shirt He Wore Became the Most Coveted Item Worldwide.
Regardless of Argentina's success in touching the World Cup 2022 trophy, Lionel Messi remains a global football icon.
In his final appearance for the national team, Messi grabs all attention, not only from home fans but also from supporters worldwide and, of course, adversaries.
The idea of obtaining a signature, a photo, or, on a grander scale, Messi's jersey from the last World Cup in his illustrious career is nothing short of a marvel for anyone.
His jersey excites even the most formidable and experienced opponents, often seen at halftime, after the final whistle, players searching for Messi. Even teammates or the son of his close friend Sergio Aguero secretly vie to possess a precious memento of this legendary striker.
This phenomenon turns 'El Pulga's' worn jerseys into the most sought-after items at the World Cup 2022. Surely, in the future, as he officially bids farewell to his professional playing career, the jersey worn by the world's greatest player in the grandest match will become the most precious treasure in the football elite.
Determining the exact number of jerseys Messi wore during matches is challenging. Argentina's victory over Croatia in the World Cup semifinal marked his 1,002nd appearance for both club and country in Messi's career. However, that doesn't mean there are only 1,002 Messi jerseys. In reality, the actual number is likely double, but still too few for the countless fans and fellow players who admire the Argentine legend.
Messi's Unspoken Rule
Although never disclosed, Lionel Messi maintains a rather strict rule when it comes to exchanging jerseys with his peers. His first rule is to never initiate the jersey exchange. Throughout his playing career, the 36-year-old player had only one exception when he first started.
In that instance, he approached French legend Zinedine Zidane, who was playing for Real Madrid at the time, and asked if they could exchange jerseys. Since then, the former Barcelona player has never actively exchanged jerseys with anyone.
Messi's second rule is that he prioritizes exchanging jerseys with teammates from Argentina and the club. In 2017, Messi posted a photo on his Instagram account showcasing a room displaying all the jerseys he had exchanged throughout his playing career. Each jersey was meticulously arranged and presented with the number and name on the back hanging with utmost respect.
In the photograph, fans can spot jerseys worn by numerous football luminaries like Thierry Henry, Luis Suárez, Philipp Lahm, Iker Casillas. However, the majority of the jerseys here belong to Messi's compatriots like Ángel Di María, Sergio Agüero, and Pablo Aimar - players Messi describes as 'heroes.'
Players' 'Treasure'
Certainly, with what Lionel Messi achieves, every player holds immense respect and admiration for him. And in a match, it's not just one who wishes for the lucky chance to swap jerseys with this legend.
In 2012, the executive director of Bayer Leverkusen even had to remind two players as they argued about who would take Messi's jersey during the halftime break. For those aspiring to have the jersey of the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, they must engage in a tense 'battle' not unlike a tug-of-war.
For players fortunate enough to have the honor of exchanging jerseys with Messi, they consider it a significant 'treasure' throughout their playing careers, even if they may have faced other great players like Ronaldo, Zidane, or Neymar.
'I own many jerseys throughout my career and am fortunate to have exchanged jerseys with Messi. It's one of my favorites. For me, he is the greatest of all time.' - Xabi Prieto, a midfielder who played for Real Sociedad, shared.
Appearing in the World Cup 2022 final, acquiring Messi's jersey would be the ultimate souvenir for anyone. However, in the most crucial match of his illustrious playing career, Messi himself probably wants to keep them for his own memories.
Source: NY Times
