![Lionel Messi [Pink Refractor] #SB-3 (Soccer Cards 2024 Topps Chrome MLS South Beach Superstar) — is it worth grading?](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/9hQAAOSw19VnV2RR/s-l1600.jpg)
Is Lionel Messi [Pink Refractor] #SB-3 worth grading?
Soccer · Soccer Cards 2024 Topps Chrome MLS South Beach Superstar · full price guide →
Worth grading — even a PSA 9 beats raw
A Grade 9.5 Lionel Messi [Pink Refractor] #SB-3 sells for $165 against $45.00 raw: a $120 spread, 3.7× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($150) 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)
- $45.00
- Grade 9.5
- $165
- PSA 9
- $150
- Gem premium
- 3.7×
- As of
- Jul 11, 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 | $165 | +$95.00 | +$70.00 | −$30.00 |
| PSA 9 | $150 | +$80.00 | +$55.00 | −$45.00 |
| PSA 8 | $26.00 | −$44.00 | −$69.00 | −$169 |
Net = sale price − $45.00 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% | $154 | +$58.75 |
| 50% | $158 | +$62.50 |
| 75% | $161 | +$66.25 |
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 →| Grade | Graded |
|---|---|
| 9.5 | $165 |
| 9 | $150 |
| 8 | $26.00 |
Run your own numbers
Should I pay this?
Enter the seller’s asking price to see your net outcome per grade.
Grading Lionel Messi [Pink Refractor] #SB-3 — FAQ
Is Lionel Messi [Pink Refractor] #SB-3 worth grading?
A Grade 9.5 Lionel Messi [Pink Refractor] #SB-3 sells for $165 against $45.00 raw: a $120 spread, 3.7× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($150) 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.
Is your soccer card centered well enough to grade?
Centering makes or breaks a PSA 10. Scan any card with Midpoint to measure its exact centering, get a grade estimate, and see what your copy is actually worth.
Check my card free