Ultra-rare signed Lionel Messi card sells for more than $500,000

By Charlie Fenton

An ultra-rare signed Lionel Messi trading card has sold for £411,000 (more than $500,000) at auction.

The 2015 Panini Flawless Sole of the Game Lionel Messi collectible sold for the astonishing amount after an intense online bidding war at Heritage Auctions Spring Sports Catalogue Auction.

The unique card also contains an incredible relic — part of one of the iconic Argentine talisman's match-worn boots.

The 2015 season is one of Messi's most notable after he led his beloved FC Barcelona to a historic treble by capturing La Liga, Copa del Rey, and UEFA Champions League titles.

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There are only 10 copies of the card, and with the entire set capped at a maximum of 25, it stands among the "rarest early Messi memorabilia-autograph cards ever issued."

The featured relic carries added significance, as footwork and control define the attacker, which makes game-used footwear meaningful to collectors.

This example is also serial numbered 10/10, matching Messi's iconic jersey number which the auctioneer says "enhanced its appeal" as a "true one-of-one style collectible."

The card is graded as a PSA near mint 7, with the autograph graded as a PSA/DNA 10, and is currently the only specimen of the edition of 10 housed in a PSA slab.

PSA is a trading card and sports memorabilia grading company.

Heritage Auctions is based in Texas.