A Playboy model planned to “pose naked” with the handkerchief that Lionel Messi used at his farewell Barcelona press conference after submitting an audacious bid for the item.
Messi’s legendary spell at Barcelona came to a shock end in the summer after the Spanish club were unable to sign him to a new contract.
The 34-year-old Argentine superstar was prepared to slash his salary in half to sign a new deal amid Barcelona’s financial crisis.
But La Liga’s financial rules prevented Messi from extending his stay at Barcelona, with the club legend signing on a free transfer for Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi mopped up his tears using a handkerchief as he received a spine-tingling reception at his emotional Barcelona press conference.
The former Barcelona captain’s used tissue would later appear on an international auction site, which commanded a hefty $1m price tag.
Barcelona-loving Playboy model Luana Sandien has claimed that she made a staggering $600,000 bid for the handkerchief, according to The Daily Star.
“I bid $600,000 to get the Messi handkerchief gone [sic], after that the ad disappeared,” she said.
“I gave more than half the advertised amount believing I would win, but the ad disappeared after my bid, out of nowhere.
“The ad went off the air without giving more information about the outcome of the case, so we don’t know if anyone bought the artefact, or if the advertiser gave up on the idea.
Credit: Luana Sandien/Instagram
“I hope I made it.”
The Brazilian model said it was “one of my best experiences” to pose for Playboy Africa in a Barcelona shirt.
The Daily Star reports that shirt sales were up 50 per cent as a ‘result of her Barcelona [shirt].’
Speaking after the Playboy magazine was released, Sandien said: “I always supported Barcelona because I live in Spain, so their influence here is stronger.
“And also, I think the players are much hotter than other teams.”
Messi has been training with his new club teammates since he signed for PSG, but the Barcelona legend hasn’t made his debut for the Ligue 1 side.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner could make his hotly anticipated PSG debut against Reims at the Stade Auguste-Delaune on Sunday.
