Lionel Messi Autographed ‘Barcelona’ Tegata

Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi is the best player in the world and is considered by many the greatest footballer to ever play the game. He is continuously breaking records and is singlehandedly rewriting the FIFA record books. The FC Barcelona forward holds world records such as 91 goals in a year, European records such as the most European Golden Shoe awards (3), and Barcelona record for most hat tricks in official competition with 24. He has been awarded the FIFA Ballon d'Or as the world's best player four consecutive times. Only 26 years old, Lionel Messi became Barcelona's all-time top scorer at the age of 24, and now has scored more than 300 goals another milestone. Messi is often compared to legendary compatriot Diego Maradona due to his stature and style of play.

In conjunction with Upper Deck Authenticated, Lionel Messi is now just the sixth athlete ever to be honored with a unique 'Tegata' memorabilia piece. A 'Tegata' is a traditional form of Japanese memorabilia that is reserved only for the most superior athletes. Utilizing handmade Japanese Hamada paper, Messi has inked his right hand in black and included an authentic Inkan stamp which aligns with the traditional craft. The overall keepsake, which measure 36" wide by 36" high, includes a 9.5" by 10.5" inset center upon which Messi hand has been inked and is surrounded by a double-matted collage style background of FC Barcelona images. Messi performed the 'Tegata' process under supervision of UDA officials and helped in the hand-crafting of 20 uniquely authentic stamps for the debut release. The limited-edition item is guaranteed authentic by virtue of Upper Deck Authenticated's Five-Step Authentication Process.