BTS memorabilia outbids Messi jersey in World Cup 2026 charity auction

In the Christie's and Global Citizen charity auction linked to the FIFA World Cup 2026, items worn by BTS members became the most valuable pieces. Jimin's jersey, used during the halftime show, attracted a final bid of over US$14,000, while V's scarf fetched US$17,000, both surpassing the bid for Lionel Messi’s signed Argentina jersey, which peaked around US$16,000 after starting at an estimated US$1‑3 000. The auction, running from July 22 to July 29, aims to raise funds for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, a project targeting US$100 million to support football‑based education programs for children in disadvantaged communities worldwide. The strong interest in the K‑pop items highlighted the global cultural influence of BTS alongside the football star’s legacy.