Is Lionel Messi #404 worth grading?
Soccer · Soccer Cards 2006 Panini Mega Cracks · full price guide →
Worth grading — even a PSA 9 beats raw
A Grade 9.5 Lionel Messi #404 sells for $600 against $69.00 raw: a $531 spread, 8.7× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($545) clears the raw price after an economy-tier ~$25 fee, so a near-miss still comes out ahead. Centering is the usual reason a clean copy misses the 10 — measure it before you submit.
- Raw (NM)
- $69.00
- Grade 9.5
- $600
- PSA 9
- $545
- Gem premium
- 8.7×
- As of
- Sep 4, 2026
Break-even by outcome and fee
| If it comes back… | Sells for | Economy / bulk (~$25.00) | Standard (~$50.00) | Express (~$150) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gem — Grade 9.5 | $600 | +$506 | +$481 | +$381 |
| PSA 9 | $545 | +$451 | +$426 | +$326 |
| PSA 8 | $290 | +$196 | +$171 | +$70.60 |
Net = sale price − $69.00 raw value − fee. Fee tiers are illustrative; plug your grader's current price into the calculator below.
Expected value — how often does it need to gem?
| Chance it gems | Expected sale | Expected net (standard fee) |
|---|---|---|
| 25% | $559 | +$440 |
| 50% | $573 | +$454 |
| 75% | $586 | +$467 |
Even a miss (a 9) beats selling raw after the standard fee — the gem rate only decides how much you win by.
Full grade ladder
Raw conditions & history →Run your own numbers
Should I pay this?
Enter the seller’s asking price to see your net outcome per grade.
Other 2006 Panini Mega Cracks cards worth checking
Full set checklist →
Grading Lionel Messi #404 — FAQ
Is Lionel Messi #404 worth grading?
A Grade 9.5 Lionel Messi #404 sells for $600 against $69.00 raw: a $531 spread, 8.7× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($545) clears the raw price after an economy-tier ~$25 fee, so a near-miss still comes out ahead. Centering is the usual reason a clean copy misses the 10 — measure it before you submit.
Best on iPhone & Android
Check your soccer card in the Midpoint app
Scan with your camera to measure centering to the millimeter, get an AI grade with corner and edge close-ups, see what your copy is worth, and track it in your portfolio. Free to start.
