Lionel Messi Argentina 2022 Panini Immaculate Collection Soccer Tag Patch Autograph #TA-LEO PSA 8 | 1-of-1 | Match-Worn Material

Originally introduced as a high-end standalone basketball release by Panini for the 2012-13 NBA season, Immaculate Collection quickly became popular amongst collectors and soon after was released in both baseball and football and then finally in soccer. Created by Karvin Cheung, the creator of the archetypal high-end card set Exquisite Collection, Immaculate Collection Soccer debuted in 2017. The product had an emphasis on providing a high-end chase by limiting production run such that each and every card was numbered to 99 or less and has continued in that tradition to this day across sports. When first launched, Immaculate soccer offered autographs and memorabilia from bright young hopefuls as well as veteran stars in their international uniforms. By 2022-23, the product had expanded to commemorate the major figures of the soccer world at both the international level as well as the club level. Each box contains just six cards, five containing memorabilia, autographs, or a combination of the two.

To this day, Immaculate Collection stands as one of the most premium sets in the hobby. While the memorabilia featured in many cards over recent years have not been confirmed to be worn or used by the players they are representing, that is not the case here as Panini guarantees that the tag patch featured here was worn in a match by Messi. The front of the card is stamped with a script “1 of 1” in the top corner to emphasize its unduplicated nature. Just like Messi, this example is a singular masterpiece.

This card commemorates a special time in Messi’s career. Released on June 28, 2023, this card came at a time of major change. After two decades in the FC Barcelona system, Messi was a free agent at the conclusion of the 20-21 season, which had seen him achieve the record for most club appearances, win the 2021 Copa del Rey final, and lead La Liga in scoring. Messi and FC Barcelona had even agreed in principle to an extension that would keep him in Catalonia through 2026. Despite this, due to “financial and structural obstacles,” Barcelona announced on August 5, 2021 that they were ultimately unable to retain the services of the little boy from Rosario who had made Barcelona home and had helped make FC Barcelona a household name around the world. In an emotional press conference on August 8, Messi confirmed to the Camp Nou faithful that he had played his last match in an FC Barcelona shirt, thus officially bringing to an end the Messi-Ronaldo La Liga era.

The news was met initially with some bewilderment in the soccer world, with executives of top clubs not entirely certain how to proceed. Unexpectedly, perhaps the best player in the world was available without a transfer fee. PSG (Paris Saint-Germain F.C.), who had mounted a serious attempt to wrest Messi from Barcelona the year before, initially believed the prospect impractical, however after Messi called manager and fellow Argentine Mauricio Pochettino, the push was on. 

By August 10, Messi was a Parisien. He was reunited with former Barcelona teammate and Brazilian dynamo Neymar as well as French phenom (and 2018 World Cup Winner) Kylian Mbappé and joined France’s top side, who had won seven of the prior 10 league titles. Later that year, Messi won his record-extending seventh Ballon D’Or. By the end of the season, Messi had won his 11th Big 5 club title. 

Due to the climate of the 2022 World Cup host Qatar (Doha for example regularly exceeded 100 degrees Fahrenheit in July 2022, when World Cup finals are often held), FIFA had decided to shift the 2022 World Cup, the tournament that many at the time expected to be Messi’s final major one, to November and December of that year. As such, the 22-23 domestic campaign began before that year’s World Cup. Mbappé had threatened to leave that summer, however PSG’s transfer fee demands prevented any team from being able to complete the transaction and Mbappé ultimately stayed until the end of the 23-24 season. 

With the team sheet set, Messi and the Parisiens continued to demonstrate their dominance at the club level. At the Tropheé des Champions, PSG thrashed Nantes 4-0, with Messi scoring one goal and earning Man of the Match honors. However, Messi’s sights were set on the one trophy he had not gotten his hands on as of yet: the World Cup. 

Initially, destiny seemed to have different plans. Messi’s Argentina first suited up against Saudi Arabia. They entered the contest heavy favorites, sporting a 36-match unbeaten streak that was one shy of the record set by Italy in 2021. Argentina’s would end that day. Messi scored a penalty goal in the 10th minute, however that was the last time Argentina would register on the scoreboard. Saudi Arabia scored twice in the second half to complete what is considered by many to be one of the most shocking results in the history of international soccer. 

Messi and Argentina, licking their wounds, managed to turn things around, defeating both Mexico and Poland 2-0 and advancing to the knockout stage. Argentina beat Australia 2-1 before knocking the Netherlands out on penalties. They then crushed Croatia 3-0 for a trip to the final. Meanwhile, Messi’s PSG teammate Mbappé and France smashed Poland 3-1 before knocking out Harry Kane and England. They then defeated Morocco 2-0 to meet Messi in the final, setting up a rematch of the 2018 Round of 16 match where a 19-year old Mbappé had sealed the demise of Messi’s Argentina.

The final was an instant classic. The longtime Argentine duo of Messi and Ángel di Mariá matched Mbappé’s two goals for a match that saw regulation end 2-2. In extra time, Messi put Argentina ahead 3-2 before Mbappé knocked in a penalty in the 118th minute. The match would be decided by penalties. Messi and Mbappé both took and converted their shots first. They were now spectators, having mounted herculean efforts. 

It was Messi who would fall to his knees with joy. Messi had his crowning achievement. After accomplishing all a player could individually and at the club level, Messi had brought Argentina their first title since 1986. 

Messi continued to make history in 2023. He became the top goalscorer in European club soccer history after overtaking longtime Cristiano Ronaldo with his 702nd goal that came against Nice, and won his 12th Big 5 title. After his contract expired at the end of the season, he made a different type of history: he became the highest paid player in Major League Soccer history. As many of his contemporaries, including former teammate Neymar and longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo, opted to play in Saudi Arabia for opulent sums, Messi took a different approach, signing with Inter Miami CF on July 15, 2023, just weeks after this card was released. Later that year, Messi extended his Ballon D’Or record to a staggering eight, becoming the first player playing outside of Europe to win. 

Messi’s legend is to soccer what that of greats like Jordan, Ruth, and Gretzky are to their sports. One only needs to hear that name to see a highlight reel of excellence flash before their mind’s eye. Rumors are swirling about whether Messi will play in next year’s World Cup, and Messi has transformed Inter Miami from a bottomfeeding team to Eastern Conference juggernauts. It is unclear when this legend of 21st century sport will hang his boots up for good, however one thing is clear: the history of world soccer is simply incomplete without a lengthy passage on Leo. 

The PSA certificate number for this card is: 83442830. The card is stamped “1 of 1” on the front on top of the card, indicating this example’s singular print run. PSA has authenticated the card and awarded it a Near Mint-Mint 8. 

Going Deeper - Lionel Messi

Messi Reaches the Summit

“It was amazing. Everything changed for me that day. We finally got what we had dreamed of so much, the thing I’ve wanted for so long in my career. And it finally came at the end.” 

When Lionel Messi hoisted the FIFA World Cup Trophy above his sweat-soaked head after the 2022 World Cup Final in front of an audience of nearly 1.5 billion people around the world, the moment seemed fit for the coronation of a football deity.

On a warm December night at Lusail Stadium in Qatar, there were no comparisons left to make - Messi stood alone atop the mountain. As he recalled after the tournament, “You really can’t explain how it feels: that’s it, it’s over, it worked, I got everything with the national team, just like I always dreamed.”

The trophy that had eluded him was the final piece of a gilded trail of feats and accomplishments - Messi had conquered every competition winning 10 LaLiga titles with FC Barcelona, a run that also included 4 Champions League wins, and Copa América and Finalissima trophies with Argentina. He was already the most decorated football player ever after being awarded 7 Ballon d’Ors (he has since won another) and countless other individual accolades and records. And with his victory in the FIFA World Cup Final, he had secured his second Golden Ball award as best player of the tournament. 

A Long Journey to the Top

Messi’s success with his country did not come as naturally as his accomplishments for his clubs in Europe. Messi put it bluntly when reflecting on his long journey:

“There was so much suffering, because there were times when I suffered a lot with the national team, the finals we lost, being so close without it finally happening. I had so much criticism in every way possible. And my family suffered just like me, or even worse.”

This World Cup, one that many suspected was his last, was personal. But for Argentina, the start of the 2022 tournament appeared to be another step towards hollow disappointment. A stunning, 2-1 opening match defeat to Saudi Arabia, a massive underdog, threatened to derail yet another run at glory. 

Yet, with a 5th consecutive World Cup loss staring him in his face, Messi took matters into his own hands. He rallied Argentina to decisive 2-0 victories against Mexico and Poland in the group stages to progress to the knockout stage. In the road leading to the Final, Messi dazzled, scoring goals in each of the following three matches as Argentina powered their way to meet France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final. 

The Final Triumph: Messi's Unforgettable Performance and the Greatest World Cup Final 

It was as if the script was preordained days before the opening whistle of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final. After nearly 16 years of trying to hoist the World Cup Trophy, a familiar face stood between Messi and his ultimate goal —Messi’s teammate at Paris St-Germain, Kylian Mbappé. The last time the two met in the FIFA World Cup was in 2018, Mbappe scored two goals to oust Argentina from the tournament in the Round of 16, en route to his first title and the Best Young Player award, all at the age of 19. 

After that match many thought it was the last they would ever see of Messi in the tournament. He had indicated at the time, it was then or never for the 31-year old. However, Messi determined that he would not exit from the international stage on such a disappointing note.

What followed was an all-time spectacle of brilliance between two of the sport’s titans, and what is now considered one of the greatest football matches of all time. 

With Messi at the helm, the Argentinians opened the match looking poised to avenge their 2018 loss. They dominated the ball and created opportunity after opportunity, while France seemed to be a step slow. After a penalty kick was awarded in the 23rd minute, Messi calmly walked up to the ball - there was no debate who would take the shot. After his signature hesitation step in the run up, he slotted the ball in the right corner of the goal with his magical left foot. Argentina led 1-0. 

Ángel di Mariá extended the lead to 2-0 in the 36th minute and Argentina would carry the lead into the half. The French appeared on the brink. 

The second half however, had a different tone. Les Bleus refused to relinquish their title easily. A furious comeback in the final 10 minutes, led by two goals from the foot of Mbappé within 2 minutes, brought the defending champions to an even 2-2 score by the final whistle of regulation. 

In extra time, as he had so many times before, Messi would find himself in the right place at the right time once again. In the 108th minute he knocked home a rebound from close range to pull the lead back for Argentina. 

Mbappé would respond minutes later, completing a hat trick from the penalty spot and taking the match to only the third ever sudden death penalty shootout in FIFA World Cup Finals history. This time however, the French had no answers. After missing two of their first four shots, Argentina’s Gonzalo Montiel would kick the tournament clinching goal. 

The scenes, together with the commentary of Peter Drury, resembled the final scenes of a sports film: “Argentina, Champions of the World! Again! At last! And a nation will tango all night long! 36 years since Maradona and Mexico, here, finally, is a nation’s new throng of immortals! Scaloni will be fated, Messi will be sainted! Lionel Messi has conquered his final peak. Lionel Messi has shaken hands with paradise. The little boy from Rosario, Santa Fe has just pitched up in heaven. He climbs into a galaxy of his own. He has his crowning moment…He was beautiful. He was the point of difference. He has always been the point of difference. Unparalleled. And maybe today there will of course always be those who argue, always those who debate. Debate could rage on if you like. But as he falls in love with the object in the world that his heart most desired, it is hard to escape the supposition that he has rendered himself today the greatest of all time.” 

When the realization of victory washed over Messi, he fell to his knees as an exhausted but triumphant hero, his face a mix of joy, relief, and disbelief. His teammates rushed to embrace him as the cheers thundered throughout Lusail Stadium. Everyone there knew they had been part of something truly extraordinary. Di Mariá, who Messi had played with since they were young kids understood what it meant to compete alongside the all time great: 

“For me, being by Leo’s side is everything. He’s the best in the world, an alien, and I won’t get tired of saying it. And I’ll say it again: Playing with Leo is the best thing that has happened to me in my career.”

As Messi walked across the stage with the FIFA World Cup trophy to meet his teammates, John Strong aptly narrated the moment to American television audiences:

“In this instance, it was the Hollywood ending, it was the perfect finish, it was the beautiful dream coming true. And these scenes will live forever as Lionel Messi and Argentina have won the World Cup!”

The image of Messi celebrating with arms outstretched, the World Cup trophy gleaming under the stadium lights, became an iconic moment in football history. It was a celebration of not just victory but of years of sacrifice, dedication, and unwavering belief in the dream of becoming a World Cup champion.