Soccer cards finally reached the potential many thought they had for years in 2021. The world’s most popular sport finally translated into higher card values and rewarded collectors that had collected prior to the Covid pandemic. There were dozens of 6 figure soccer card sales in 2021. That was more $100,000 sales than the rest of soccer card history up until that point. As you will see from the list Erling Haaland was one of the biggest drivers of this. He had multiple rookie 1/1’s released in 2020 that hit the sales block in 2021.
Top 10 Soccer Card Sales 2021
*If the same card sold multiple times we listed all sales under the card.
1 – Erling Haaland 2019-2020 Topps Chrome Bundesliga Autograph Superfractor 1/1 #91 BGS 9.5 - $442,800 sold June 2021 (Buy Similar)
This is now the highest soccer card ever sold. It was the first of Haaland’s 1/1 sold on the year and closest to the early year peak.
2 – Pele 1958 Alifabolaget Base #635 PSA 8.5 – $372,000 sold May 2021
Pele 1958 Alifabolaget Base #635 PSA 8 – $340,100 sold March 2021
Pele 1958 Alifabolaget Base #635 PSA 6 – $148,830 sold October 2021
The rookie card of the Brazilian legend sold 3 times in 2021 for 6 figures. The same card as a PSA 9 sold for $288,000 in October 2020 to give you an idea of the increase of this card in 2021.
3 – Lionel Messi 2004 Panini Sports Mega Cracks #71 PSA 10 – $336,000 sold June 2021
Lionel Messi 2004 Panini Sports Mega Cracks #71 PSA 10 — $270,600 sold August 2021
The most sought-after rookie card of the 7 time Ballon D’or winner sold twice in 2021. Both versions were PSA 10 so these sales show the decrease in the market that happened in the second half of the year. That said the same card sold in September 2020 for $116,988 so you can see how much the market increased in 2021.
4 – Cristiano Ronaldo 2003 Panini Sports Mega Craques #137 PSA 10 - $312,000 sold October 2021
Cristiano Ronaldo 2003 Panini Sports Mega Craques #137 PSA 10 - $236,160 sold April 2021
Cristiano Ronaldo 2003 Panini Sports Mega Craques #137 PSA 10 - 210,330.00 sold January 2021
Cristiano Ronaldo 2003 Panini Sports Mega Craques #137 PSA 10 - $209,100 sold April 2021
Cristiano Ronaldo 2003 Panini Sports Mega Craques #137 PSA 10 - $196,800 sold May 2021
Cristiano Ronaldo 2003 Panini Sports Mega Craques #137 PSA 10 - $156,000 sold August 2021
The rookie card of CR7 was the most sold high-end card of the year. These sales give us a fascinating look into how 2021 played out and also how a market can go up even when the overall market is going down. The highest sale of the year came in October which of course was after he transferred back to Manchester United. There are 38 PSA 10 Ronaldos while there are only 20 Messis in case you were wondering.
5 – Erling Haaland 2019-2020 Topps Chrome Finest Superfractor 1/1 #91 BGS 9.5 – 210,330.00 sold September 2021 (Buy Similar)
The 2nd Haaland on the list is the 1/1 of what many consider his first premium rookie card. This non auto sold for about half of his previous card on the list. It also sold when the market had cooled off a bit.
6 – Erling Haaland 2019-2020 Topps Chrome UEFA Champions League Superfractor 1/1 #74 PSA 9 — $181,200 sold August 2021 (Buy Similar)
The second Haaland 1/1 in a row comes from the flagship Topps Chrome set. This card sold near the beginning of the season. The previous card sold while Haaland was scoring in 8 games in a row. This was also a PSA 9 compared to a BGS 9.5 but we will save that 1/1 grading debate for another day.
7 – Pelé 1958–59 Tupinamba Ltda. Colecao Quigol #109 PSA 8 - $180,000 sold January 2021 (Buy Similar)
We have another early Pele card on the list. There are 66 of these graded by PSA and 8 is the highest version of the card.
8 – Erling Haaland 2019 Topps Chrome Bundesliga Red Refractor /10 #72 BGS 10 – $170,400 sold August 2021 (Buy Similar)
Erling Haaland 2019 Topps Chrome Bundesliga Red Refractor /10 #72 PSA 10 — $145,200 sold April 2021
We have the 1st non 1/1 of Erling Haaland on the list. The PSA 10 sold close to the early year peak but the BGS 10 carried more value because of the grade
9. – Diego Armando Maradona 1977 Futbol Discs #11 PSA 7 — $157,200 sold March 2021 (Buy Similar)
One of the all time goats make his 1st appearance on the list. This is neither a sticker or a card but it is the earliest graded item by PSA.
10 – Erling Haaland 2019-2020 Topps Chrome Bundesliga Orange Refractor /25 #72 BGS 10 (Black Label) — $146,400 sold June 2021 (Buy Similar)
The last card on the list is the 3rd card from the Topps Chrome Bundesliga set. This of 25 version received the ultimate grade, a BGS Black Label, which sure carried it onto the list. This is the only BGS Black Label from this set regardless of player or card. Quite a fortunate circumstance for the person that graded it.
*All Buy Similar links above go to Ebay listings
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