A 1/1 Lionel Messi signed card from Panini’s World Cup Prizm issue has sold for what is believed to be the highest price ever for a modern issue soccer trading card. The Black Prizm card featuring the autograph of the international superstar from Argentina was the prime pull from the product, which launched in May.
According to Panini, the buyer was a trading card store owner from Taiwan, who submitted the best offer after the card was listed on eBay for $24,999. The card had been pulled from a $5 pack on June 10 at The Sports Source, a card shop in Burbank, CA.
Messi had two goals in Argentina’s 3-2 win over Nigeria on Wednesday. He’s considered the best player in the world and among the best soccer players of all-time.
S
ports Source owner Dave Rodriguez told Panini that the collector who pulled the card is a big soccer fan who opted to let the shop handle the sale of the card. after purchasing a few boxes each week for about a month.
Prizm World Cup has yielded eight cards that have sold for $2,300 or more since its release including a dual-signed Christiano Ronaldo/Pele card that brought $5,000 but the Messi signed card, numbered on the back, is the biggest prize.
“Who knows,” Rodriguez told Panini. “Maybe Argentina will win the World Cup and the guy buying it will capitalize and sell it for twice as much.”
Below is a look at the ‘most watched’ Prizm World Cup cards on eBay now.
