Groundbreaking Digital Artwork Auctioned
A groundbreaking digital artwork by acclaimed artist Refik Anadol, inspired by a spectacular goal from legendary soccer player Lionel Messi, was sold for an impressive $1.87 million at Christie’s auction house on Tuesday. While the buyer’s identity remains undisclosed, the revenue generated will benefit the Inter Miami Foundation, which aims to enhance educational programs across Latin America and the Caribbean through various charitable initiatives in collaboration with UNICEF.
Art Meets Sport
In the lead-up to the auction, Anadol expressed a desire for the piece not to vanish into private ownership. He emphasized the collaboration as a fusion of two distinct disciplines, stating,
“It’s not just artist meets artist; it’s sport meeting art, which adds a fresh power to the work.”
Messi’s Iconic Moment
The artwork captures Messi’s personal favorite moment — a remarkable header during the 2009 UEFA Champions League final while he played for Barcelona against Manchester United. At the time, Messi, a 22-year-old rising star, showcased his talent in a match that saw him confront his future rival, Cristiano Ronaldo. With Barcelona leading 1-0 in the 70th minute, a perfectly executed cross from teammate Xavi Hernández allowed Messi, despite being significantly shorter than his opponent, Rio Ferdinand, to leap and connect with the ball, scoring a goal that would become iconic. In a lighthearted moment, Messi noted in a previously unreleased interview,
“It was the most beautiful and unique, because it was a header—I jumped really high, which is rare for me.”
Emotional Impact of Art
Ximena Caminos, the curator who helped orchestrate the partnership, remarked on the emotional impact of merging art with Messi’s cherished memory:
“To witness an artwork emerge from Messi’s unforgettable goal, attracting thousands and generating essential support for children’s education, is truly remarkable. This auction reflects the intersection of art, technology, and sport, with the potential for genuine change to follow.”
Successful Auction and Future Plans
Anadol’s creation, on view at Christie’s New York since July 12, attracted the attention of soccer aficionados and art collectors alike, coinciding with the venue’s 10th Art+Tech Summit during the exhibition period. The auction commenced with a starting bid of $1.5 million and successfully concluded with a significant sale. This is not Anadol’s first foray into charitable auctions; he previously sold another unique digital piece inspired by the architecture of Gaudí for $1.38 million three years ago. Additionally, a set of match-worn jerseys by Messi from the 2022 World Cup notably fetched $7.8 million at auction, marking a record in sports memorabilia sales for that year.
As for the future of “A Goal in Life,” the public display has concluded, and the new owner of this exceptional piece, measuring 20 feet by 12 feet, will work directly with Anadol’s studio to determine its installation location, using their own hardware to showcase the innovative artwork.
