9/10
Shirt condition
Excellent condition
Excellent overall condition: the turquoise is vivid, the VaporKnit jacquard fabric is intact, the MESSI No.10 printing and all three sleeve patches are flawless. The only point reported: fine early cracking on the letters of the Rakuten sponsor, visible only in close-up (photos 6 and 7). The logo is complete, nothing is peeling. No holes, no stains.
| Size |
S |
| Manufacturer |
Nike VaporKnit — player issue |
| Season |
2019-2020 (Messi's second-to-last season at Barça) |
| Version |
Turquoise third — Champions League version |
| Sponsors |
Rakuten (front) + unicef (back) |
| Printing |
MESSI No.10 |
| Patches |
UEFA starball + « 5 » Badge of Honour + UEFA RESPECT |
| Auth. code |
AR9343-310 independently verifiable
|
Unsure about the size? Check my vintage football shirt size guide.
100% AUTHENTIC
✦ Authenticity guaranteed for life
Item checked by hand in my authentication workshop. If an item bought from me is ever identified as a unofficial piece, I refund it in full. Guarantee with no expiry date.
- Original Nike label with product code AR9343-310 and reference HO190408HIG (photo 4) — cross-checkable in Nike's 2019 collection archives
- Thread-by-thread embroidered FC Barcelona crest set on the structured jacquard knit (photo 3), NIKE VAPORKNIT wording on the inner collar — the player-range signature
- Stitched UEFA starball, « 5 » Badge of Honour (the club's five Champions League titles) and RESPECT badge, all compliant
- Full method: authentication guide
🛠️ Workshop note — MESSI No.10 printing in the official 2019-2020 Champions League format, navy with micro-dots and Barça crests set into the bottom of the digits (photo 5). The thin open-outline lettering is specific to that season alone.
📖 2019-2020: Messi's last European nights at Barça
This shirt combines two rarities: a turquoise third that breaks radically with the blaugrana, and a VaporKnit player issue, made in small numbers for the professional squad. On the back, the No.10 of Lionel Messi — two seasons from leaving the club.
🏆 December 2019 — the sixth Ballon d'Or. Messi received his sixth Ballon d'Or during this season, an absolute record at the time. This is the shirt he wore on Champions League nights that year.
🔟 The « 5 » badge. Five Champions League titles: the Badge of Honour stitched on the sleeve is reserved for the competition's most decorated clubs. It appears only on shirts worn in Europe.
✨ Player issue, not retail. VaporKnit is Nike's top tier: structured jacquard knit, very close athletic cut, reduced weight. This is the on-pitch shirt, produced in numbers nowhere near the retail release.
👑 Lionel Messi — born in Rosario in 1987, developed at La Masia, all-time top scorer in FC Barcelona history. Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, four-time Champions League winner with the club, 2022 world champion. He left Barcelona in summer 2021 — this shirt belongs to the very end of that story.
❓ Frequently asked questions about this shirt
Is the shirt 100% authentic?
Yes. Original Nike label with code AR9343-310 and reference HO190408HIG (photo 4), embroidered crest, NIKE VAPORKNIT collar, stitched UEFA patches. Authentication carried out in my workshop, real photos of the exact item sold, lifetime authenticity guarantee.
What is the difference between VaporKnit and the fan version?
VaporKnit (player issue) uses a structured jacquard knit with woven ventilation zones, a very close athletic cut and reduced weight. The fan version (Breathe/Stadium) is looser and made of plain fabric. The former is produced in far smaller numbers.
Is the sponsor cracking a problem?
No. These are fine early cracks in the heat-applied film of the Rakuten letters, visible in close-up photos 6 and 7. The logo is complete, nothing is peeling, and at normal distance it goes unnoticed. I report it because that is my rule: every flaw is shown.
How does this player-issue S fit?
47 cm pit to pit and 70 cm in length, flat measurements given above. Player-issue versions run noticeably tighter than fan versions: if you normally wear S in a standard shirt and want a comfortable fit, go one size up.
How much is shipping and how long does it take?
Shipped within 48 working hours with Colissimo tracking (€5.99 in mainland France, free from €99.99). International rates and delivery times detailed on my shipping FAQ. Returns accepted within 14 days if unworn.