Jorge Messi: The legacy of the napkin contract that secured Lionel Messi

The passing of Jorge Messi, father and longtime representative of football legend Lionel Messi, has brought renewed attention to the historic circumstances surrounding his son’s arrival at FC Barcelona.

In December 2000, when Lionel was 13, the family faced significant uncertainty regarding the club’s commitment to covering the costs of his growth hormone treatment and providing financial stability. To secure the young player's future amidst these doubts, Barcelona’s sporting director Carles Rexach signed an informal agreement on a paper napkin at the Pompeia tennis club. This 52-word document, written in blue ink, served as a commitment to sign the player.

Jorge Messi played a pivotal role in navigating these early challenges, often advocating directly with club officials to ensure the family's needs were met so Lionel could focus on his development at La Masia. The historic napkin was later auctioned in New York for approximately $900,000, serving as a symbol of the moment that launched one of the most successful careers in sports history.