Are Messi Autographs Authenticity in Question Again?
- SLAB-Z
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
Recent events involving PSA, Topps and Lionel Messi’s autographed cards are raising serious questions about authenticity and the integrity of the trading card industry. While Upper Deck is taking steps to combat patch swapping and counterfeits with a new authentication feature, Topps has been somewhat navigating the issue in its own way.
In May this year, a collector faced a familiar headache: PSA refused to authenticate a Messi autograph on a 2024 Topps Finest MLS card. This isn’t an isolated incident—when the collector reached out, a Topps rep quickly pointed the finger at PSA, claiming that Messi had recently changed his autograph style, and PSA hadn’t updated their standards accordingly. As seen in an online chat transcript, the official line was: “Recently Messi has changed the style of his autograph, which it seems PSA has not updated their standards.” It’s a familiar game—blame the grading, blame the player, but the core issue remains: Can collectors trust what they’re getting?
The story took a serious turn when PSA refused to authenticate the autograph on a Dynasty card pulled by David Rodriguez of Clarksville, Ind. Then, a Topps collector support senior manager responded in a March 28 email, viewed by The Athletic: “Following our investigation, we will proceed with remakes of the Topps Dynasty Lionel Messi cards.” The phrasing, using the plural “cards,” hints at the possibility that multiple Messi autographed cards within that set could be remade.
This revelation immediately raises questions: Is this an admission of doubts about the original signatures? Could this lead to a flood of remade cards, effectively diluting the value of the set? And most critically, what does this mean for collectors—are they buying authenticity, or just chasing a concept of it? Yet, we are still seeing stellar Messi auto sales lately:
Adding fuel to the debate, even industry experts like Steve Grad—lead authenticator for Beckett and a frequent face on Pawn Stars—have floated theories without concrete evidence. When asked on X whether Messi signed his cards in 2018, Grad responded, “It’s fairly well known he had a family member signing for him on and off for a few years.”
At that time, the issue was with Messi autographs on Panini cards. Some users online said it was Messi's brother. But with no verifiable proof, these claims remain in the realm of speculation, further muddying the waters. And the waters are deep, just as fans' fervor runs high when it comes to Messi's autograph:
The ongoing saga underscores a stark reality: in a market obsessed with high-dollar cards and scarcity, authenticity can sometimes be more of a marketing ploy than a guarantee. The controversy leaves buyers questioning whether their prized Messi cards are genuine or simply illusions crafted by hype and speculation.
The industry’s response has been no clearer. PSA often returns these cards unprocessed, citing signature style as the issue, but sometimes offers to replace the card with a new autograph. For many, that process can take up to two years—if it materializes at all. Meanwhile, the values of these cards swing wildly; Rodriguez’s replacements—featuring stars Yamal and Ohtani—are now worth nearly triple the original Messi card, yet doubts continue to overshadow the authenticity of the signatures.
Critics argue that this ambiguity damages the hobby’s reputation and leaves collectors questioning every signature they chase. Until the industry sets clearer standards or confirms authenticity beyond speculation, the only certainty remains the stories behind each card—and whether you can truly trust its signature. In this high-stakes game, buyers and sellers alike have to ask: Is it real, or just another fleeting illusion?
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