Messi, Ronaldo, Maradona: How Much Their Signed Jerseys Are Worth
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A signed football jersey can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars, depending on the player, authenticity, condition and history of the shirt. However, there is no fixed price for a signed football jersey.
Recent auction results show just how widely values can differ. In 2026, a Lionel Messi-signed Barcelona jersey sold for $1,080 (Ksh 140,097) at SCP Auctions, while a Messi-signed 2023 Argentina shirt with the 2022 World Cup champions patch sold for $570 (Ksh 73,940).
A Cristiano Ronaldo-signed Sporting CP jersey from the 2003/04 season sold for $660, while a signed 2016 Portugal national team jersey also fetched $660 (Ksh 85,615).
At the other end of the market are rare shirts with an important history. A 1993 Ronaldo Nazário match-worn Cruzeiro jersey from his professional debut season sold for $2,400 (Ksh 311,328) at SCP Auctions.
Another Ronaldo Nazário shirt, worn during his 2010 spell at Corinthians and signed by Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos, sold for $3,600 (Ksh 466,992).
What Makes a Signed Football Jersey Valuable?
The player’s name is only one part of the equation. Collectors and auction houses consider several factors when determining the value of signed sports memorabilia.
- The Player
A jersey signed by a globally recognised football star will generally attract more collector interest than one signed by a lesser-known player.Recent SCP Auctions results demonstrate the range.
Messi-signed jerseys in its 2026 World Cup auction sold for between $420 (Ksh 54,482) and $840 ( Ksh 108,964) depending on the shirt, while Ronaldo-signed jerseys in the same auction sold for $660 (Ksh 85,615). However, the player’s fame alone does not determine the final price.
- Authentication
A genuine signature can make a major difference. The Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) says its autograph price guide is intended for authenticated items and notes that condition, rarity, age and the appearance of the item can affect value.
It also explains that authentication can make autographs more desirable and easier to sell. Authentication may come from recognised services such as PSA/DNA, Beckett Authentication Services or James Spence Authentication.
For example, the Messi Barcelona shirt that sold for $1,080 at SCP Auctions carried Beckett authentication, while the Ronaldo Sporting CP shirt that sold for $660 had a PSA/DNA letter of authenticity.
Photo of Nike Fit Dry Portugal National Team replica jersey signed by Ronaldo on display
PHOTO/PSA
Match-Worn or Replica?
This can make a significant difference. A regular store-model jersey signed by a player is collectible, but a shirt actually worn by that player during a match can have additional historical and sporting significance.
PSA specifically notes that its listed prices for autographed jerseys relate to non-game equipment and that autographed game-issued or game-used equipment can command a much higher premium.
One example is Ronaldo Nazário’s 1993 Cruzeiro shirt. It was not simply signed; it was identified as a match-worn jersey from his professional debut season and came with provenance and authentication documents. It sold for $2,400.
His 2010 Corinthians shirt, meanwhile, was match-worn, signed and inscribed, and sold for $3,600.
Photo of Ronaldo Nazario signed Corinthians Jersey
PHOTO/PSA
Does the Match or Tournament Matter?
Yes. A shirt connected to a major tournament, historic match or important moment in a player’s career can attract significantly more interest.
A striking example came in 2026 when Christie’s sold a Lionel Messi-signed Argentina FIFA World Cup 2026 home jersey for $66,000 (Ksh 8,561,520).
The shirt had been issued to Messi as part of his World Cup equipment and carried player-issued insignias. Its provenance was particularly strong: Messi had gifted the jersey to singer Shakira, who later donated it to Global Citizen for the auction.
The final price was far above the auction’s original estimate of $1,000 (Ksh 129,720) to $3,000 (Ksh 389,160). This illustrates why a jersey should not be valued solely by looking at the player’s signature. The item’s history can be just as important.
Photo of Messi signed Argentina 2022 World Cup home jersey
PHOTO /Global Citizen
How Important Is Provenance?
Provenance refers to the documented history of an item, including who owned it and how it came into their possession. Strong provenance can help establish that a jersey is genuine and explain why it has historical significance.
For instance, the 1993 Ronaldo Nazário Cruzeiro shirt sold by SCP Auctions came with Brazil Kitman provenance as well as MEARS and PSA/DNA documentation.
Sotheby’s also highlights provenance when presenting major football memorabilia. Its 2024 listing for Diego Maradona’s 1986 World Cup semifinal shirt states that the shirt came from the collection of Belgian goalkeeper Jean-Marie Pfaff. The jersey was both match-worn and signed, with separate documentation supporting its match use and signature.
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How Can You Tell If Your Jersey Is Valuable?
The first step is to establish exactly what you have. Check the player’s name, club or national team, season, shirt number, manufacturer and whether it is a replica, player-issued or match-worn shirt.
Next, examine the signature and any certificate of authenticity. A certificate alone should not automatically be treated as proof that a jersey is valuable.
Collectors also look at the reputation of the authenticator, the condition of the shirt, provenance and comparable sales. PSA advises that autograph pricing is subjective and that factors including condition, rarity, age and eye appeal can affect value.
Compare Completed Auction Sales
One of the most useful ways to estimate a jersey’s market value is to look at what similar items have actually sold for. This is different from looking at an online seller’s asking price.
For example, SCP Auctions recorded these 2026 sales:
- Lionel Messi, 2018 Argentina jersey- $840 (Ksh 108,964)
- Lionel Messi, 2021 Argentina jersey- $660
- Lionel Messi, 2023 Argentina World Cup champions jersey- $570
- Lionel Messi, 2022/23 Paris Saint-Germain jersey- $420 (Ksh 54,482)
- Cristiano Ronaldo, 2003/04 Sporting CP jersey -$660
- Cristiano Ronaldo, 2016 Portugal jersey- $660
- Ronaldo Nazário, 1993 match-worn Cruzeiro jersey – $2,400
- Ronaldo Nazário, 2010 match-worn Corinthians jersey – $3,600
These figures show why there is no universal price for a signed football jersey.
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Some Jerseys Can Be Worth Far More
The most valuable football shirts are often connected to extraordinary moments in the sport. Sotheby’s reports that Diego Maradona’s famous 1986 “Hand of God” match-worn Argentina shirt sold for $9.3 million (Ksh 1,206,396,000) in 2022, setting a record at the time for game-used sports memorabilia.
The shirt was worn during the World Cup quarter-final in which Maradona scored both the “Hand of God” goal and the “Goal of the Century.”
That example is not a direct benchmark for an ordinary signed jersey because its extraordinary value came from its documented match use and connection to one of football’s most famous moments. Sotheby’s currently identifies Maradona’s shirt as the most expensive soccer shirt it has sold.
Photo of Maradona 1986 Hand of God match-worn Argentina shirt
PHOTO/Sotheby’s
Where Can You Get a Jersey Valued?
Owners of potentially valuable football memorabilia can approach established auction houses or recognised memorabilia specialists. Sotheby’s says collectors can submit photographs and supporting documentation of sports memorabilia for an estimate.
The auction house handles game-used items, signed pieces and other sports collectibles. For an owner trying to establish a realistic value, useful information to provide includes:
- Clear photographs of the front and back of the jersey
- Close-up photographs of the signature
- Manufacturer and size tags
- Certificate of authenticity, if available
- Details of when and where the jersey was signed
- Any evidence showing that it was match-worn
- Previous ownership or provenance documents
- Information about the match or tournament connected to the shirt
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Photo collage of Cristiano Ronaldo,Lionel Messi and Ronaldo Nazario wearing their match-worn shirts
PHOTO/AFP