The napkin that was used for Barcelona’s signing of Lionel Messi in 2000 is set for auction.

In possibly football’s most incredible signing story, Barca directors were so stunned by a 13-year-old Messi that they wrote a contract on the back of a napkin to snare him first.

The object, which has the writing from Barcelona’s then-technical secretary Carles Rexach, was kept by River Plate intermediary Horacio Gaggioli, who has now put it up for sale.

The napkin has a starting price of €350,000, and Barcelona are expected to be involved in the bidding to bring it back to Catalunya.

On the 16.5 x 16.5 cm object, you can read: “In Barcelona, ​​on December 14, 2000 and in the presence of Messrs. Minguella and Horacio, Carles Rexach, technical secretary of FC Barcelona, ​​undertakes under his responsibility and despite some opinions against signing the player Lionel Messi as long as we stay within the agreed amounts.”

Ian Ehling, head of books and manuscripts at Bonhams, commented: “This is one of the most exciting objects I have ever handled.

“Yes, it is a paper napkin, but it is the famous napkin that was at the beginning of Lionel Messi’s career, which changed his life and contributed significantly to creating some of football’s most glorious moments for billions of fans around the world.”