Imagery HERE
Date: 15th August 2026 | Category: Manchester United / Memorabilia | Source: MatchWornShirt Press Release
Manchester, 15th August 2026 — MatchWornShirt (MWS), the world’s premier match-worn memorabilia auction platform, is currently hosting its highly anticipated “The GOATs” auction. Curated directly from the personal collection of former Manchester United masseur Rod Thornley, the auction showcases match-worn and signed shirts from the two defining icons of modern football: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
This special release follows Rod’s previous successful auction with MWS, which highlighted iconic memorabilia from Manchester United’s legendary Class of ’92, including David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, and Paul Scholes.
The Stories Behind the Shirts
Both shirts in this auction were collected during fixtures against Manchester United while Rod was working alongside the squad during his years at Old Trafford:
- Lionel Messi (Barcelona 2012/13 Home): Match-worn and hand-signed during Barcelona’s pre-season clash against United on 8th August 2012. The match ended 0-0 before Barcelona secured a 2-0 win on penalties. Messi played in a star-studded lineup alongside Andrés Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, and Alexis Sánchez.
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid 2014/15 Home): Match-issued and hand-signed for Real Madrid’s high-profile friendly against Manchester United on 2nd August 2014.
“He took it off and signed it to me”: Rod Thornley on Messi’s Shirt
Recalling the memorable moment he secured Lionel Messi’s match-worn jersey, Rod Thornley shared:
> “I messaged Gerard Piqué a couple of days before the game and said, I never ask you for anything, but I need Messi’s shirt from this one. At the end of the game Gerard came into our dressing room, grabbed me, and walked me straight into theirs. Messi still had the shirt on his back. He took it off, signed it to me while I sat there with him, and shook my hand. It was incredible.”
Auction Breakdown & Key Information
| Item Details | Match & Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Lionel MessiBarcelona 2012/13 Home | vs Manchester United(8th August 2012) | Match-Worn & Signed |
| Cristiano RonaldoReal Madrid 2014/15 Home | vs Manchester United(2nd August 2014) | Match-Issued & Signed |
How to Bid & Auction Timings
The “The GOATs” auction is live right now and is scheduled to close on Wednesday, 19th August at 16:00 BST.
- Official Auction Page: Fans and collectors can view the complete collection and place their bids directly on MatchWornShirt (MWS.com).
- High-Res Imagery: Official media press photos and shirt imagery are available for press coverage via MatchWornShirt’s media portal.
About MatchWornShirt
Founded in 2017, MatchWornShirt (MWS) has grown into a global leader in sports memorabilia, partnering with over 400 top clubs worldwide—including Chelsea F.C., AC Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain. To guarantee authenticity, every shirt offered on MWS is backed by Fabricks™, a proprietary technology providing owners with a secure, digital certificate confirming its origin and match history. utdplug
