Title: Lionel Messi's Iconic Football Boots Sell for $173,000 at Charity Auction
Christie's, the renowned auction house, announced the sale of Lionel Messi's football boots for a whopping $173,000. The funds raised would be channeled towards artistic and healthcare programs at Hebron Valley University Hospital.
Originally showcased at the National Art Museum of Catalonia, these bespoke boots saw action on December 22, 2020, when Messi scored his 644th goal for Barcelona, surpassing Pele's record for the most goals scored for a single club.
The record-breaking sale signifies the immense value and iconic status of Messi's career as a footballer.
Pele's Legacy
Often cited as one of the greatest footballers of all times, Pele scored 643 goals for his Brazilian club Santos between 1956 and 1974.
Messi, with his exceptional goal-scoring record for Barcelona spanning 17 seasons, comes close to matching Pele's mark.
The Closest Contenders
Gerd Müller, the German striker, comes second closest to Pelé's tally, scoring 565 goals for Bayern Munich between 1964 and 1979.
Fernando Peyroteo of Sporting CP and Josef Bican of Slavia Prag jointly hold the third spot, each having scored 544 goals for their respective clubs.
Messi's Journey
Debuting for Barcelona in 2004, Messi won ten La Liga titles and four Champions League titles with the Catalan giants. He scored his first goal in 2005.
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