Messi's story began with a napkin

Soon, a very special piece of paper will disappear under the auction hammer. A napkin that paved the way for the career of none other than Lionel Messi. The artfully graffitied sheet features the promises of a contract between the young Messi and FC Barcelona. According to the auction house, "One of the most exciting items ever.

So one of the most iconic documents in the history of soccer is nothing less than a napkin. On it was written the very first promise of a contract to keep then 13-year-old Lionel Messi for FC Barcelona. The piece of paper changed the course of both the club and Messi himself, who later grew to become one of the greatest players of all time. 

Messi's recruitment was not without controversy. For example, his height was a point of contention, as was the amount of money spent on the then only 13-year-old player. Messi was discovered by Barcelona when he played for Newell's Old Boys at the age of 12. Messi and his father Jorge were flown to Barcelona for a trial period, but negotiations stalled.

Impatient

By December 2000, Jorge began to grow a tad impatient because of the club's lack of commitment. He was waiting for a final decision. Rexach, Barcelona's technical director at the time, sensed by his water that the situation was critical and decided to get together with Minguella and Gaggioli for lunch. He pulled a paper napkin from a dispenser on the table and began to write. The text read as follows: 'In Barcelona, on December 14, 2000, in the presence of Josep Minguella and Horacio (Gaggioli), Carles Rexach, F.C.B.'s technical director, under his responsibility and despite some objections from others, offers a contract to Lionel Messi, as long as we stick to the agreed amounts.'

The napkin did its job. That evening, president of of of the club, Joan Gaspart, finally confirmed the agreement. This time on firmer paper. The rest, of course, is history... 

People can bid on the piece of sports history during an online auction from March 18 to 27 by auction house Bonhams. The starting price? €350,000.