Top Lionel Messi Cards to Collect
Lionel Messi is arguably the biggest name in soccer and Lionel Messi cards continue to receive plenty of attention from collectors.
The speedy Argentinean forward is a fan favorite and remains one of the all-time greats for soccer collecting, along with Cristiano Ronaldo and Pelé. In addition to eight Ballon d'Or awards and multiple UEFA/La Liga/Copa del Rey titles, Messi claimed his first FIFA World Cup Final win in 2022, cementing his legacy. Of course, his individual and club success also puts him among the legends of the sport and Lionel Messi cards enjoy considerable interest in the hobby.
While he has already had a rather lengthy professional career, which began in 2003 with Barcelona, collectors looking for early Lionel Messi cards will not find that many options, especially from his first decade as a pro. Values remain strong for key cards and collectors naturally gravitate to the Lionel Messi rookie cards, which were released in 2004-05 products, as well as his low-numbered options and autograph cards.
Although initially very rare, Lionel Messi autograph cards have become a bit more common in soccer sets, including releases from Panini along with Topps and Leaf. Individually, they are not likely to surface in huge numbers, but as a whole, the supply is moderate at any given time.
Shop for Lionel Messi autographs currently available on eBay.
The list below documents some of the most notable options for Leo Messi. This includes his top early cards and many of his signed cards.
For a detailed look at all the key early cards for Lionel Messi, view our Lionel Messi profile.
Top Lionel Messi Cards List
Click on the card listings below to shop for specific cards or track prices on eBay. Bolded sets go directly to detailed product profiles.
2004-05 Panini Mega Cracks Lionel Messi #71
Easily the most valuable of the Lionel Messi rookie cards, the 2004-05 Mega Cracks release has seen a tremendous increase in attention. In particular, high grades command huge sums.
Falling under the same Mega Cracks brand, his 2004-05 Campeón and Campió rookies are popular, as well, and a bit easier on the wallet.
2004-05 Panini Este La Liga Sticker Lionel Messi
While stickers are normally less valuable and less popular, especially with modern cards, Lionel Messi's 2004-05 Panini Este sticker is more limited than most of his other first-year cards. Collectors have certainly taken notice of this La Liga sticker and pushed values quite high.
2006 Panini FIFA World Cup Germany #47 Lionel Messi
Another early card of note is his first World Cup trading card. Found in the 2006 Panini FIFA World Cup Germany set, these have seen much more interest in recent years.
His initial World Cup sticker (#185) is another popular choice.
2013 Icons Limited Messi Collection Lionel Messi Autographs
The first major release of a certified, pack-pulled autograph for Lionel Messi came in 2013 Icons Messi Collection. Broken into two versions, the limited edition boxes offer autographs and game-worn or event-worn jersey cards, while the retail version only includes base cards.
The rare premium product was only available in Japan and Lionel Messi autographs fall about one per case. The main draw is the large on-card signature. In total, there are five different Lionel Messi signed cards found in the product but they can be very tough to locate.
2014 Panini Prizm World Cup Parallels Lionel Messi
Refractor-mania is nothing new for North American collectors, but 2014 Prizm World Cup was one of the first products to bring an extensive checklist of the shiny parallels to international soccer. The full group includes 11 different parallels, and collectors have shown interest in the rarest options, including Green Crystal Prizm (#/25), Gold Prizm (#/10), Gold Power Prizm (#/5) and Black Prizm (1/1).
Because Messi is featured in multiple inserts (Net Finders, Matchups, Stars) and the base set, there are actually 48 different Lionel Messi cards to collect, including the non-Prizm versions of each card. If you include the Team Photos inserts for Argentina, that adds 12 more cards, for a total of 60 different Lionel Messi cards.
A similar assortment is found in the 2018 set.
2014 Panini Prizm World Cup Signatures Lionel Messi #S-LME Autograph
While it is not the first certified Lionel Messi signed card to emerge from a pack, this Lionel Messi autograph is one of the most popular cards in the entire 2014 Prizm World Cup product and a key part of his cardboard legacy.
Messi and Argentina came up just short in 2014, losing to Germany in the World Cup final.
The supply for these has largely dried up over the years, so it might take a little extra work to snag one.
2016 Panini Flawless Lionel Messi Autographs
One of the first major releases to stress on-card autographs, 2016 Flawless was the cream of the crop at that time. Messi has several notable signatures, including the Sole of the Game card with match-worn shoe pieces.
2016-17 Panini Noir Lionel Messi Autographs
Normally thought of as an NBA card brand, 2016-17 Panini Noir turned to soccer stars. The huge draw here is the fact that this set has hard-signed autographs for Messi. As seen below with the Legendary Signatures insert, some are even signed using gold ink.
2017 Panini Revolution Lionel Messi Autograph #A-LM SSP
Incredibly rare, the Messi autograph in 2017 Revolution Soccer is super short print (SSP), which means there are just 25 copies (or less). As a result, it can be very difficult, if not impossible, to find.
2017 Panini Immaculate Collection Lionel Messi Autographs
Another premium move to soccer for a high-end Panini brand, 2017 Immaculate Collection opts for Messi sticker autographs, which is not ideal. Still, there are several choices.
2018 Panini Eminence Lionel Messi Autographs
Another top-of-the-line soccer set is 2018 Eminence. Huge prices, extravagant designs and limited runs all converge for the Lionel Messi autographs. In typical Panini style for ultra-premium releases, several of the encased cards add a diamond with the on-card signature.
2018 Panini National Treasures Lionel Messi Autographs
2018 National Treasures Soccer might come up short to Eminence, but the expensive brand still offers one of the better Messi cards. The Colossal insert features a jumbo relic and on-card signature.
2018 Panini Prizm World Cup Signatures Lionel Messi #S-LM Autograph
Just a few years later, 2018 Prizm World Cup provided another Lionel Messi autograph tied to the greatest global sporting event. Panini revealed that this signed card is part of the SSP (Super Short Print) lineup. That means the odds to pull his card is anywhere from 1:19 cases to 1:50 cases. Yes, cases.
2022 Panini Prizm World Cup Signatures Lionel Messi #S-LEO Autograph
In what is likely his last World Cup, Messi helped lead Argentina to the title. Collectors can turn to 2022 Prizm World Cup for a direct connection to the final Messi triumph for his country.
Topps Champions League Lionel Messi Autographs
Although not as common as his Panini autographs, Topps produces multiple UEFA Champions League sets with limited Lionel Messi autograph cards for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. This includes 2017-18 Topps Chrome UCL, 2017-18 Topps Museum Collection UCL, 2018-19 Topps Chrome UCL, 2018-19 Topps Finest UCL, 2019-20 Topps Finest UCL, among others.
Donruss Lionel Messi Autographs
One of several soccer brands from Panini to be issued in multiple years, Donruss takes the classic design style to modern stars like Messi. His autograph cards are found in 2015 Donruss, 2016-17 Donruss and 2018-19 Donruss.
Panini Select Lionel Messi Autographs
Similarly, Select Soccer is another product line with multiple iterations that feature Lionel Messi autographs. This includes 2015 Select, 2016-17 Select, and 2017-18 Select.
Leaf Lionel Messi Autographs
Although the cards do not showcase team logos, Leaf gives Lionel Messi autograph collectors even more variety. Messi is a regular option in the brand's multi-sport releases. One appealing aspect in addition to the rarity is that Leaf frequently pairs Messi with other legends.
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