Argentina's World Cup Victory Sparks Jersey Frenzy

Strategic Insights -

Fans around the world are celebrating Argentina's dramatic penalty shootout victory over France in the 2022 World Cup final by purchasing official jerseys, particularly those bearing the name and number of star player Lionel Messi. However, due to high demand and limited supply, fans are having to pay a premium for the coveted gear, with prices ranging from $490 to $2,360 on resale sites. The buying frenzy is driven by the fact that the World Cup final took place during the holiday season and the rising popularity of collectible soccer jerseys.

Key Takeaways:

  • Official Argentina jerseys, including those bearing Messi's name and number, are sold out on the Adidas website, although fans can purchase blue shoes, sweatshirts, or an Argentina tank top.
  • Resale site StockX had Argentina's World Cup 2022 Messi jerseys listed for about $490 to $2,360 as of Tuesday morning, with an average price increase of over 100% in just a month.
  • Sales of the top five products with "Argentina" in their name increased more than 400% between Saturday and Sunday on StockX.
  • Vintage gear for the Argentine team from the 1980s is being sold on the Classic Football Shirts website for over $900.
  • A current Messi jersey is being auctioned on eBay with a starting bid of $1,500.
  • Messi's goals in the World Cup final, which made him the first player to score in every round of the tournament, are a major reason for the high demand for jerseys.
  • The two-starred Argentina jerseys, which have taken on an "I knew them before they were cool" energy, are in especially high demand due to the team's previous World Cup wins in 1978 and 1986.
  • Jerseys bearing three stars will likely hit the market soon and are bound to be highly sought after, just as Messi's Paris Saint-Germain jersey sold out online in just 30 minutes last summer.

Statistics:

  • The average price of Messi jerseys on StockX had more than doubled from November to December, with prices ranging from $490 to $2,360.
  • Sales of the top five products with "Argentina" in their name increased more than 400% between Saturday and Sunday on StockX.
  • A vintage Messi jersey from the 1980s is being sold on the Classic Football Shirts website for over $900.
  • A current Messi jersey is being auctioned on eBay with a starting bid of $1,500.
  • Messi's Instagram post showing the elated first-time World Cup victor holding the trophy has become the most-liked photo posted by an athlete on Instagram, surpassing a post by Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal.

Sources:

  • Reuters
  • The Washington Post
  • StockX
  • eBay
  • Classic Football Shirts
  • The Athletic
  • Instagram