Messi's favorite goal artwork sells for Tk 22 crore at auction

 Messi's favorite goal artwork sells for Tk 22 crore at auction

                                           

        

AI Artist Rafik Anadol Sells Messi-Inspired Digital Artwork for $1.87 Million at Christie'

Renowned Turkish-American artist Rafik Anadol, celebrated for his pioneering work in AI-generated art, has created a powerful new piece titled “A Goal in Life: Messi x Rafik Anadol.” Inspired by football legend Lionel Messi’s favorite goal, the digital artwork recently fetched $1.87 million (approx. Tk 227.9 crore) at a high-profile auction hosted by Christie’s in New York.

The buyer’s identity remains undisclosed, but all proceeds from the sale will go directly to the Inter Miami Foundation, supporting charitable initiatives across Argentina, Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, and Haiti, especially in collaboration with UNICEF to promote education in underserved communities.

Anadol, who co-founded the AI-powered museum Dataland and operates his studio in the U.S., used advanced AI tools to design a stunning 3D visual interpretation of Messi’s legendary header in the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final. The goal—scored against Manchester United at Rome’s Olympic Stadium—featured Messi leaping above 6’2” defender Rio Ferdinand despite his height of just 5’7”. It’s widely remembered not only for its precision but also for the moment Messi’s boot slipped off mid-air due to his incredible elevation.

In an unreleased interview with The Athletic, Messi reflected on that moment, saying, “It’s difficult to choose just one favorite goal because there are so many. But that header is the most beautiful and unique to me. I jumped very high, which is rare.”

Anadol shared with The Athletic that he intended to create more than just a collectible. “This artwork isn’t about ownership; it’s about the dialogue between disciplines—between art, technology, and sport,” he said.

Curator Jimena Caminos emphasized the broader impact, noting that the piece will do more than captivate audiences—it will actively support education systems throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

The artwork was showcased at Christie’s Art + Tech Summit in New York starting July 12. According to Sebastian Sanchez, Christie's Digital Sales Manager, bidding for the piece began at $1.5 million.

While Anadol’s Messi collaboration marks a significant moment in AI art, Messi’s memorabilia continues to break records—his 2022 World Cup jerseys collectively sold for $7.8 million, making them the most expensive sports memorabilia ever auctioned.