Golden boy Lionel Messi's left foot on sale

A solid gold replica of footballer Lionel Messi's left foot, complete with blood vessels and the swirls of skin on the bottom of the toes, is to go on sale in Japan, a jeweller said.

Rodrigo Messi, brother of football star Lionel Messi of Argentina. (AFP)

The plaster-made replica of football star Lionel Messi of Argentine's left foot is on display during its press preview in Tokyo on March 6, 2013.  Priced at about 5.25 million USD, the 25-kilogram golden foot was created by Tokyo-based jewelry retailer, Ginza Tanaka, to commemorate Messi's record-breaking Ballon d'Or for four consecutive years and the world-record 91 goals he scored a calender year.  (AFP)

The 25-kilogramme (55-pound) statue, worth $5.25 million, was created from a mould of the star striker's foot by Ginza Tanaka to mark Messi's record-breaking fourth consecutive Ballon d'Or award.

The company said the golden foot is due to go on sale on Thursday, along with a number of miniature versions and a solid gold plate of the Barcelona frontman's footprint, the company said.

Rodrigo Messi, brother of football star Lionel Messi of Argentine (R) and Ginza Tanaka President Masakazu Tanaka (L) unveil the golden replica of Lionel Messi's left foot during its press preview in Tokyo on March 6, 2013.  Priced at about 5.25 million USD, the 25-kilogram golden foot was created by Tokyo-based jewelry retailer, Ginza Tanaka, to commemorate Messi's record-breaking Ballon d'Or for four consecutive years and the world-record 91 goals he scored a calender year. (AFP)

Part of the profits from the sale will go to help people affected by the quake and tsunami that hit Japan two years ago next Monday, through the Leo Messi Foundation, a charity run by the Messi family.

Argentinian Messi won an unprecedented fourth consecutive Ballon d'Or at a FIFA gala in Zurich in January, adding yet another record to his stellar list of achievements as the top scorer in Spain's La Liga.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.