Hearts star Cammy Devlin has the missing Lionel Messi piece from a collection that’s about to go for a whopping £8million.

Socceroo Devlin enjoyed a moment to savour at the Qatar World Cup when he swapped shirts with the Argentina icon after their last 16 encounter. The midfielder waxed lyrical about his exchange with the Barcelona hero and was given Messi’s top from the clash – and now the 25-year-old will be feeling even more lucky.

The world-famous Sotheby’s in New York are to auction off a collection of six tops from the iconic player from the tournament and the value is expected to break records. But it’s not the full set because Devlin owns Messi’s only other match-worn shirt from the tournament, on top of the fact it was the legend’s 1000th game of his career. The jerseys that will go up for sale are from the first half of the classic final where Argentina beat France, the semi-final and quarter-final games and two group stage shirts – and they’re about to beat the previous record.

This was Diego Maradona’s iconic ‘Hand of God’ shirt from Argentina’s infamous win over England at the 1986 World Cup sold for £7million after former Three Lions midfielder Steve Hodge sold his prize possession. Hearts midfielder Devlin, who didn’t make a single appearance for Graham Arnold’s men, revealed last year he approached Messi to ask and was granted the incredible request post-match.

He said: “I went on [the pitch] and consoled all the boys first and then shook Messi’s hand. No-one had said anything so I just tried my luck and he said, ‘I’ll see you inside,’ and that’s what happened. I definitely wanted one of the other boys to have the opportunity first, but no-one took it, so I thought why not?

“I don’t know if it will be on his wall at home (Devlin’s jersey) or maybe still on the ground in that changing room but I’m not fussed — it’s more that I got his. I was surprised he even took mine. He definitely wouldn’t know who I am, but he’s a nice enough bloke and a humble enough bloke to still show that respect, and that’s obviously super nice, but I wasn’t too worried about what my jersey was doing at that stage.”

The Hearts ace then admitted the now priceless artefact is at home with his parents Down Under. He added: “’The jersey is going to be at my home and my dad has got it. I don’t think he’ll let me touch it any more.”