16 August 2026 · 7 min read
Ten sporting moments that define the century so far, and the cards that kept them
From Ronaldo’s redemption to Messi with the World Cup, Hamilton’s 92nd win and Curry’s last four threes in Paris. Our list is meant to be argued with. Choose the moment that belongs at number one.
Ten moments. Ten objects you can inspect.
Argentina 2022
Messi completes the unfinished story
A 3–3 final, a shootout, and the trophy that had followed Messi through his whole career. Card #118 shows the ending, not an adjacent record.
Base PR 22,081 · PSA 10 shownBrazil 2002
Ronaldo’s redemption final
Two goals against Germany, the Golden Boot and the World Cup four years after Paris. This is a 2026 retrospective Instant card, clearly labeled as such.
2026 retrospective · final PR pendingSpain 2010
Iniesta, 116 minutes, one first star
Four minutes from penalties, Iniesta found the finish that gave Spain its first World Cup. The horizontal 2026 retrospective keeps the ball and the collapsing defence in frame.
2026 retrospective · final PR pending
Spain 2026
A second star and a teenage core
Spain beat Argentina in extra time after conceding once all tournament. Yamal and Cubarsí, both 19, became world champions after starting the final.
Final PR pending
Paris 2024
Curry puts the final to sleep
Four threes in the closing 2:47, the last over two defenders, then Night Night. The print run is enormous; the photograph is still definitive.
PR 89,838
Portugal 2020
Hamilton moves the record to 92
A dominant Portuguese Grand Prix made Hamilton Formula 1’s outright wins leader. Topps NOW #9 turns a career record into a clean numerical object.
PR 3,184
Abu Dhabi 2021
The title that changed Formula 1’s center
Hamilton and Verstappen arrived level on points. The ending remains contested; Verstappen’s first title still marked the sport’s decisive handover.
PR 29,562
Miami 2024
Ohtani invents the 50/50 club
Six hits, three home runs, two steals and ten RBI on the day he became baseball’s first 50-homer, 50-steal player.
PR 653,737
Paris 2025
Alcaraz survives Sinner
Two sets down, three championship points saved, five hours and 29 minutes. Their first major final announced the rivalry’s full scale.
PR 5,704
Tour de France 2026
Pogačar joins the five-time room
His fifth Tour placed him beside cycling’s smallest circle. Card #8 records the first stage win and yellow jersey of the campaign. It is a title-run card, not a Paris trophy card.
Title-run card · final PR pendingWhich moment belongs at number one?
Choose one. Live results appear after you vote, and you can change your mind.
Our list. Your number one.
Ten moments, ten cards and no final answer. Vote above. We’ll keep the list open as the century gives us more to argue about.