Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has offered a candid look into his prized collection of football memorabilia, detailing the nervous encounter that led to him securing Lionel Messi’s iconic No. 10 shirt. The story, which dates back to a memorable 2011 Champions League clash, sets the stage for Wilshere’s upcoming co-hosting role at an eBay Live event focused on football’s greatest number debate.

Fabregas’s intervention secured Messi’s shirt

Wilshere, then a burgeoning talent in Arsenal’s midfield, delivered a standout performance in the Gunners’ 2-1 victory over Pep Guardiola’s star-studded Barcelona in the Champions League round of 16. Despite his Man of the Match display, the young midfielder admitted to being too intimidated to approach Messi directly for his shirt.

Recalling the moments after the final whistle, Wilshere recounted his strategy to SPORTbible: “After the game there were a load of shirts I wanted but I made the decision that I wanted Xavi and I wanted Messi – probably understanding that every single players wants Messi, so I focused on Xavi and got his shirt. Then I said to Cesc, ‘I want Messi’s shirt and he said, ‘Well go and ask him!’ I said, ‘No, no, I can’t, I can’t talk to him!’. He was like, ‘Alright I’ll go and do it’ and he battered me after for it. But I got it, which is the important thing.”

Indeed, then-Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas stepped in, retrieving Messi’s shirt for Wilshere. Fabregas later playfully exposed Wilshere’s shyness on Twitter (now X), tweeting: “@jack_wilshere can’t believe I had to go and get Messi’s shirt for u. U were so scared. You were MOTM so next time please ask urself!” Wilshere, now managing Luton Town in League One, confirmed that the cherished jersey currently hangs in his 14-year-old son Archie’s room, though he plans to reclaim it soon.

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‘Showdown: 7s v 10s’ on eBay Live

Wilshere’s passion for football’s history and its iconic figures will be on full display as he co-hosts ‘Showdown: 7s v 10s’ with former US international Landon Donovan. The interactive livestream, scheduled for Sunday, June 28, at 2:30 PM BST, will delve into one of football’s most enduring debates: which number has produced more legendary players.

The event, accessible via eBay Live, will feature a live auction of coveted football memorabilia, including:

• Signed shirts from stars like Wayne Rooney, Cole Palmer, and Bukayo Saka.

• Rare Panini collectibles featuring Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Wilshere, who wore both No. 7 and No. 10 during his career, expressed his excitement for the discussion. “People are always having the Messi-Ronaldo debate, but there’s so many more in my opinion. I’m looking forward to debating it with Landon because there’s so many different types of players. And when you think about it – and listen, there’s obviously other good players, but in my opinion, a lot of the good players, either they wore the No.7 or the No.10. The showdown will be good,” he told SPORTbible.

Beyond Messi’s shirt, Wilshere treasures his 2014 World Cup cap, where he proudly wore the No. 7, a number he associates with his childhood hero, David Beckham. He also holds signed shirts from English legends Steven Gerrard, Paul Scholes, and Frank Lampard in high regard, but ultimately ranks Messi’s as his favourite, calling the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner “the greatest player of all time.”

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