[本期节目音频首次发布于 2024 年 5 月]
当年巴塞罗那俱乐部曾经在一张餐巾纸上承诺签下 13 岁的利昂内尔·梅西，现今这张餐巾纸在拍卖会上以 762,400 英镑的价格售出。这张 “普通的西班牙涂蜡餐巾纸” 的尺寸为 16.5 x 16.5 厘米，经过加膜和装框，起拍价为 300,000 英镑。
The auction house described the item on sale as a 'standard Spanish waxy napkin'. Though it's safe to say the buyer is unlikely to use it to wipe their mouth.
尽管拍卖行把拍卖物描述为 “普通的西班牙涂蜡餐巾纸”，不过可以肯定地说，买家不太可能用它来擦嘴。
It carries a written commitment from Barcelona Football Club's then sporting director that he'll sign the 13-year-old player Lionel Messi.
该纸上写有巴塞罗那足球俱乐部时任体育总监的书面承诺，他承诺要签下 13 岁的球员利昂内尔·梅西。
The commitment was then witnessed by the club's transfer adviser and an Argentinian football agent. And it's seen as marking the start of what would become a phenomenally successful career.
这纸承诺随后被巴塞罗那俱乐部的转会顾问以及一位阿根廷足球经纪人见证签字。这标志着梅西未来超凡成功球员生涯的开始。
It's still not known who paid £762,000 for the napkin. For some, it will be seen as evidence of the devotion Lionel Messi still inspires. For others, proof that when it comes to top-level football, crazy amounts of money will follow not just the stars themselves, but even any artefacts associated with their playing.
目前尚不清楚是谁买走了这张价值 762,000 英镑的餐巾纸。对一些人来说，这张价格不菲的餐巾纸是人们对梅西的热爱不减的证据。对另外一些人来说，这证明了在顶级足球方面，不仅巨星本身会带来巨额的金钱，甚至与他们赛事相关的任何物件也是如此
词汇表
on sale 出售的
waxy 涂了蜡的，蜡质的
buyer 买家
written commitment 书面承诺
then 时任的，当时的
sporting director 体育总监
witnessed 见证
transfer adviser 转会顾问
football agent 足球球员经纪人
phenomenally 非凡的，令人吃惊的
devotion 热爱，忠诚
top-level 顶级
artefacts （有价值的）物件，制品
听力练习
一、听第一遍音频，回答问题。
1. What is the programme about?
二、用一分钟阅读下列问题，然后听第二遍音频并回答问题。
1. The napkin, which has a written contract on it for footballer Lionel Messi, will be sold at auction soon.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given
2. It's safe to say the buyer is unlikely to use it to _______.
3. The writing said the sporting director would sign Messi at _______ years old.
4. Who witnessed the signing of the napkin?
a. a transfer adviser
b. the sporting director
c. a Spanish agent
5. The buyer of the napkin is _______.
a. a footballer
b. an auction house
c. unknown
6. Some people have said the buyer of the napkin is crazy.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given
答案
一、听第一遍音频，回答问题。
1. What is the programme about?
A napkin with a written commitment to sign footballer Lionel Messi has been sold at auction.
二、用一分钟阅读下列问题，然后听第二遍音频并回答问题。
1. b. False. The napkin has already been sold and bought by someone.
2. It's safe to say the buyer is unlikely to use it to wipe their mouth.
3. The writing said the sporting director would sign Messi at 13 years old.
4. a. The commitment was then witnessed by the club's transfer adviser and an Argentinian football agent.
5. c. The buyer of the napkin is unknown. It's still not known who paid £762,000 for the napkin.
6. c. Not given. For others, proof that when it comes to top-level football, crazy amounts of money will follow.