Lionel Messi | Match-Issued Shirt | 2022 FIFA World Cup | Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia

- Item: Adidas HEAT.RDY Argentina Match Shirt

- Player: Lionel Messi

- Condition: Match Issued

- Tournament: 2022 FIFA World Cup

- Match: Group Stage — Argentina vs Saudi Arabia 

- Date: 22nd November 2022 

- Venue: Lusail Stadium, Qatar 

- Size: Medium (Slim Fit)

- Made in: Argentina 

- Headline Features:

• Ultra-rare Adidas HEAT.RDY Argentina match shirt issued to Lionel Messi, 8x Ballon d’Or winner and widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time.
• Issued for Argentina’s opening Group Stage fixture against Saudi Arabia during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
• Messi scored Argentina’s only goal in a 1–2 defeat in a historic and shocking opening match.
• Match details “SAUDI ARABIA 22 NOVEMBER 2022 LUSAIL STADIUM” printed centrally on the chest by the AFA kit room.
• Exclusively made in Argentina for player issue — commercial retail versions were produced in Vietnam.
• Features include:
  ◦ Authentic Adidas HEAT.RDY lightweight, ventilated player-issue fabric.
  ◦ Argentina national team emblem with two gold World Cup stars.
  ◦ Shirt number #10 applied to chest and back in official AFA World Cup 2022 print.
  ◦ Official FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and Football Unites the World sleeve patches.
•  This shirt formed part of Messi’s available match-day kit stock.
• Authenticity fully guaranteed with the BC Boots UK Certificate of Authenticity.

- Match Context:

Tournament: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 — Group C

Fixture: Argentina 1–2 Saudi Arabia

Date: 22nd November 2022

Venue: Lusail Stadium, Qatar

• Lionel Messi (10’)

Despite the defeat in their opening game, Messi’s leadership and goal-scoring ability were on display, providing a glimpse of the tournament-defining performances that would follow, culminating in Argentina lifting the trophy.

- Player Features & Authentic Details:

• Construction: Adidas HEAT.RDY — player-only specification.
• Manufacture: Made in Argentina exclusively for players; retail version produced in Vietnam.
• Match Identification: Chest print “SAUDI ARABIA 22 NOVEMBER 2022 LUSAIL STADIUM” confirming match issue.
• Badges: Official FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and Football Unites the World sleeve patches.
• Prints: Official AFA #10 Messi World Cup print on chest and back.
• Internal Label: Correct player-issue product code and wash tag formatting unique to player-worn/issued shirts.
• Material: Advanced HEAT.RDY micro-mesh ventilation, lightweight and breathable, distinct from commercial replicas.

- Collector & Investment Significance:

• Historic Match Provenance: Issued for Argentina vs Saudi Arabia, Messi’s opening game in his final World Cup — a unique piece from a shocking and memorable fixture.
• Ultra-Rare Manufacturing Origin: Made in Argentina exclusively for the AFA squad; not sold commercially.
• Unrepeatable Moment: Part of Messi’s “Last Dance” World Cup, which saw him achieve 7 goals, 3 assists, and Player of the Tournament honours.
• Museum-Level Item: An exceptionally rare match-issued shirt from Messi’s defining World Cup campaign.

- Summary:

• A historic 2022 FIFA World Cup Group Stage match-issued Argentina shirt prepared for Lionel Messi against Saudi Arabia.
• Manufactured exclusively in Argentina with all correct World Cup match details, official patches, and player identifiers.
• A museum-quality collectible and investment piece from Messi’s final World Cup, fully authenticated by BC Boots UK.

Every piece offered by BC Boots UK undergoes our proprietary in-house authentication process. Verification is conducted internally by our specialists and is never outsourced to third parties.

Each pair is examined for player-specific identifiers, athlete modifications, material construction, wear patterns and, where applicable, forensic photo-matching to documented match or training use.

All Elite pieces are accompanied by our BC Boots UK Certification Package, which includes:

• Official Certificate of Authenticity

• Detailed provenance summary

• High-resolution documentation imagery

• Secure online certificate verification

Every item is backed by our lifetime authenticity guarantee, ensuring long-term collector confidence and full accountability.

Each certificate issued by BC Boots UK includes a unique verification reference, accessible via our secure online verification portal.

Explore what’s included in our full authentication & certification details.