Lionel Messi Sets Topps NOW Record With 664,325 Cards Sold, Unlocking First-Ever White OpalFractor
Lionel Messi has set a new Topps NOW record, with collectors purchasing 664,325 copies of his 2026 Argentina “Final Farewell” release, making it the best-selling Topps NOW trading card of all time according to Topps. The massive print run also triggered something that had never happened before in the Topps NOW program: the creation of a one-of-one White OpalFractor Chrome parallel.
Topps designed its current Topps NOW parallel structure so increasingly rare Chrome cards are unlocked as a release reaches higher print-run thresholds. At 50,000 copies, Chrome parallels numbered to 99 and 50 become available. A 100,000-card print run unlocks additional Chrome parallels numbered to 25, 10 and five, along with a one-of-one SuperFractor. At 250,000, Opal Chrome parallels numbered to 50, 25, 10 and five enter the mix.
The highest threshold is 500,000 copies, which unlocks a one-of-one White OpalFractor Chrome card. Messi’s final print run of 664,325 comfortably cleared that mark, making his Argentina Final Farewell card the first release to reach the White OpalFractor tier.
Topps announced the record on social media, saying collectors around the world purchased 664,325 copies and that no previous Topps NOW card had sold more. The company also said one collector who purchased the base edition will receive the one-of-a-kind autographed White OpalFractor with their order, turning what began as a $19.99 Topps NOW purchase into a chance at a unique Messi card.
The Lionel Messi 2026 Argentina Topps NOW Final Farewell Pack was available from October 9 through October 16 and is now sold out. Each pack contains two cards. Buyers receive one Farewell base card, parallel or one-of-one autograph, along with one variation, short print or one-of-one variation autograph. The standard Farewell card also has a traditional foil parallel structure consisting of Green Foil numbered to 99, Gold Foil to 50, Orange Foil to 25, Black Foil to 10, Red Foil to five and a one-of-one FoilFractor.
Topps included three statistical variations as well. An All-Time Assists variation falls at a rate of approximately one in every two packs, an All-Time Appearances version at one in three and an All-Time Goals card at one in six. A Final Farewell SSP is listed at approximately one in every 200 packs. Each of the three statistical variations also has a one-of-one autograph version, while the main Farewell card has its own one-of-one autograph.
That gives the release four separate one-of-one Messi autograph cards in addition to the extensive parallel structure. Topps specifically promotes the product with the chance to find “(4) 1/1 Messi Autographs.”