That of Damian Olivera-Bergallo if it’s not a fairy tale, it’s certainly a beautiful story that had a happy ending also thanks to football. After emigrating to the United States without immediately making a fortune, the man found himself in a situation of extreme economic difficulty, so much so that he was even forced to sleep in his car with only 200 dollars in his pocket. With these last savings, he made a bet, investing everything in a collection of Leo Messi figurinesthe famous Argentine champion. A decision that over time radically changed his life, transforming him into one of the most important sticker collectors in the world.
Messi, the sticker collector who became a millionaire thanks to Leo
Its success has grown to the point that the same Leo Messi invited him to his homea remarkable recognition for someone who built his fortune on a collection dedicated to the legendary Argentine footballer. “Twelve years ago I immigrated to the United States and my beginnings were difficult. It wasn’t the American dream. I basically ended up on the streets, living and sleeping in my car. One day I was at a donation center, a place where poor people buy second-hand clothes, and I saw a collection of football cards. It cost $200 and I had just that amount, if only that. I knew soccer was growing in the United States, that baseball or basketball collecting generated a lot of money in the country, and I thought maybe it was worth it, that I could make something out of it. I really didn’t imagine that I would end up dedicating myself exclusively to stickers”, Bergallo told El Mundo.
Then he added: “For years I continued to sleep in the car with the sticker collection in the trunk. I learned about the authentic until I could dedicate myself exclusively to collecting. The first major sale of that initial box was for $2,500, but in that package there was a figurine from which I managed to get 175,000 dollars”.
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