World Cup: 10 eye-popping soccer card sales, including Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Lamine Yamal
You've never seen a run on soccer cards quite like this.
Since the start of the World Cup, soccer card prices have heated up, and with superstars like Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé piling up goals, the momentum isn't expected to slow anytime soon.
Goldin recently held its 2026 Global Football Auction, which couldn't have come at a better time. The auction ended June 14-15 with results that generated plenty of attention.
Here's a look at some of the top soccer card sales from that auction.
1958 Alifabolaget #635 Pele Rookie Card — $976,000
The card was produced by the Swedish Alifa Company, which developed a set to commemorate Sweden hosting the 1958 World Cup and included Pele on card No. 635. Only 240 copies have been authenticated by one of the big four grading companies. This is the second-highest sale for the card.
2019-20 Topps Chrome Bundesliga Autographs Superfractor Erling Haaland — $610,000
This is one of the most significant modern soccer cards in existence. It previously sold for $432,000 in 2021. The timing of the sale during the World Cup proved ideal, as it set a record for any Haaland card.
2024 Topps Chrome Sapphire Edition UEFA Euro Padparadscha #17 Lamine Yamal Rookie Card (#1/1) — $326,960
Yamal is one of the brightest young stars in soccer. His card values have skyrocketed over the last year, and this is the second-highest sale for a Yamal card.
2023-24 Topps Chrome UCC Autograph Red Refractor #CA-LY Lamine Yamal Signed Rookie Card (#4/5) — $268,400
This 2023-24 Topps Chrome Red Refractor signed card ranks as the third-highest Yamal card sale.
2019-20 Topps Chrome UCL SuperFractor #74 Erling Haaland Rookie Card (#1/1) — $226,920
No autograph? No problem for this Haaland card. The German star scored a brace in his FIFA World Cup debut, and this buyer is probably feeling pretty good. This is the third-highest Haaland card sale ever.
2023-24 Topps Chrome Sapphire Edition UCC Sapphire Selections Autographs SuperFractor #SSA-LY Lamine Yamal Signed Rookie Card (#1/1) — $219,722
Yes, it's another big Yamal sale. It ranks as the fourth-highest sale for a Yamal card, and if you're counting, three of the top four sales of his cards came in the Goldin auction.
2024-25 Panini Donruss FIFA Kaboom! Gold #10 Lionel Messi (#10/10) — $212,280
Messi might be getting older, but he hasn't slowed down during this World Cup. The Argentine star scored a hat trick on Tuesday, helping drive even more demand for his already highly valued cards.
2021-22 Panini Prizm Premier League Gold Power Prizm #283 Cristiano Ronaldo (#1/1) — $152,501
Cristiano Ronaldo is competing in his sixth World Cup and remains one of the most recognizable athletes in the world. It's no surprise this card sold for such a high price, though it's usually his rookie cards that make the biggest headlines.
