[本期節目音頻首次發佈於 2024 年 5 月]
當年巴塞羅那俱樂部曾經在一張餐巾紙上承諾簽下 13 歲的利昂內爾·梅西，現今這張餐巾紙在拍賣會上以 762,400 英鎊的價格售出。這張 “普通的西班牙塗蠟餐巾紙” 的尺寸為 16.5 x 16.5 厘米，經過加膜和裝框，起拍價為 300,000 英鎊。
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.
盡管拍賣行把拍賣物描述為 “普通的西班牙塗蠟餐巾紙”，不過可以肯定地說，買傢不太可能用它來擦嘴。
It carries a written commitment from Barcelona Football Club’s then sporting director that he’ll sign the 13-year-old player Lionel Messi.
該紙上寫有巴塞羅那足球俱樂部時任體育總監的書面承諾，他承諾要簽下 13 歲的球員利昂內爾·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.
這紙承諾隨後被巴塞羅那俱樂部的轉會顧問以及一位阿根廷足球經紀人見證簽字。這標志著梅西未來超凡成功球員生涯的開始。
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.
目前尚不清楚是誰買走瞭這張價值 762,000 英鎊的餐巾紙。對一些人來說，這張價格不菲的餐巾紙是人們對梅西的熱愛不減的證據。對另外一些人來說，這證明瞭在頂級足球方面，不僅巨星本身會帶來巨額的金錢，甚至與他們賽事相關的任何物件也是如此
詞匯表
on sale 出售的
buyer 買傢
written commitment 書面承諾
then 時任的，當時的
sporting director 體育總監
witnessed 見證
transfer adviser 轉會顧問
football agent 足球球員經紀人
phenomenally 非凡的，令人吃驚的
top-level 頂級
artefacts （有價值的）物件，制品
聽力練習
一、聽第一遍音頻，回答問題。
1. What is the programme about?
二、用一分鐘閱讀下列問題，然後聽第二遍音頻並回答問題。
1. The napkin, which has a written contract on it for footballer Lionel Messi, will be sold at auction soon.
a. True
b. False
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
c. unknown
6. Some people have said the buyer of the napkin is crazy.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given
答案
一、聽第一遍音頻，回答問題。
1. What is the programme about?
A napkin with a written commitment to sign footballer Lionel Messi has been sold at auction.
二、用一分鐘閱讀下列問題，然後聽第二遍音頻並回答問題。
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.
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