‘Surreal’ £100,000 Lionel Messi trade almost happened at London Card Show as Logan Paul, Drake and Antoine Griezmann bring glamour to The Hobby
What would you trade Lionel Messi for?
This was not a question for Inter Miami owner David Beckham, but the dilemma faced by a football fan at the latest London Card Show.
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Trading cards have always been big business, whether it’s vintage sets or hot rookies.
But it’s thriving right now, as event founder Harry Reynolds can attest.
He told talkSPORT.com: “I came back to cards thanks to COVID, like a lot of people have. I went on YouTube to see what was happening in the cards world.
“There was a lot going on in America with card exhibitions, but there was nothing in the UK, so I decided to organize one myself.
“The first show was 40 people and 10 tables in half a gym. It’s now what it is today with 4,000 people coming over a weekend (at Sandown Racecourse) .
“If you told me I would be doing this full time with two full time employees in three years, I would have called you crazy.
“We have grown quickly but in the right way. We have built the reputation and trust of the UK, Europe and now America.”
At the London Card Show, you can find bargains, leisure sets or even big-ticket souvenirs.
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Every once in a while, a card will come to the show and become the star attraction.
This time it was the signing of the Argentine superstar.
“There was a £100,000 Lionel Messi card and someone was offered a Lamborghini on the spot for the card. It was quite surreal,” Reynolds revealed.
“It was a Mega Cracks of Lionel Messi from his rookie season at Barcelona rated 9.5 by Beckett. The card is just ridiculous. To get a vintage card in great condition is ridiculous. It was pretty obscene.
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“It has not been sold or traded. Last I heard, he wanted to see if the card could be rated 10 with PSA.
“He gave it to Goldin (an auction house) and they are going to see if it will cross over, which will increase the value even more.
“But I think he was tempted by the Lambo”
Make no mistake, though, the London Card Show has plenty for newbies or returning fans looking to get back on the “Got, Got, Need” train.
“The community is the best part of this hobby. Everyone at the shows is there for the same reason,” Reynolds added.
“It might be considered a bit niche, a bit geeky or nerdy – it’s not – but those who feel that way feel at home on these shows.
“It’s really cool, whether it’s sports, Pokémon or other TCGs, or souvenirs and movies. Everyone is there for the same reason. There’s no set demographic .
“There are children who come, but there are older people who come for the vintage cards. There is just about everyone and that’s the beauty of it.
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“Everyone is welcome. Families or singles, it doesn’t matter, everyone is welcome. And that’s why the weekend is such a great atmosphere.
“We have a kids zone, there will be a retro games zone, a live streaming zone, a shopping zone. There’s something for everyone.”
Many celebrities are also loving the trading card boom with Logan Paul’s famous Charizard gracing our screens, while other sports stars are also taking an interest in ‘The Hobby’.
And who knows, you might even bump into a current Premier League star if you attend.
Reynolds added: “Tosin (Adarabioyo) has been here a few times, he’s a good kid. He has The Huddle (his trading card side business) but he’s been coming for quite a while.
“Obviously with a busy schedule he can’t always go, but he comes to the shows quite often.
“It’s quite interesting to see how many high-end people collect.
“You have Drake and Logan Paul, but in terms of sports stars, a lot of people don’t realize that Antoine Griezmann is a huge collector, and even in the UK there are quite a few championship players who own him. have already done.
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London Card Show Tips
- Have a budget – “Don’t go there thinking you’ll just see what you like, go in thinking, ‘that’s what I’m looking for’.”
- Find a niche – “If you are a Manchester United fan and have a favorite player, look them up.”
- Look around you – “It’s a big room. Take your time. Yes, cards are limited but they will continue to appear if you are patient.”
- Value for money – “Go to the pounds and browse there.”
“(Blackburn star) John Buckley is coming, he broadcasts regularly (on WhatNot). A few Blackburn players have come to a show. Bradley Dack has arrived – he’s a big card fan.
“(At the next event) Emile Heskey and John Barnes will visit for meet and greets, book signings and interviews.”
And you can head to Sandown Racecourse, where the event has also become a major attraction.
Tickets are still available for the upcoming event on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May and you can reserve yours here.
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