THERE are just days left until the eyes of the football world turn to Germany for Euro 2024.
And while the nation holds its breath to see if England finally manage to bring it home, you could be on to a nice little earner with your sticker collection.
It's hard to believe that old football sticker albums can sell for eye-watering sumsKevin Hawthorne is the owner and founder of Uncle Fora Sports CardsFootball stickers have undergone a resurgence in recent years, with both kids and adult footie fans keen to finish their albums as quickly as possible.
With the latest album for Euro 2024 hitting the shelves now, the popularity of collecting and swapping stickers show no signs of slowing down.
But some stickers - especially older ones in good condition - can sometimes sell for hefty sums.
Lionel Messi posts emotional message after 'year I will never forget'The Sun spoke to Kevin Hawthorne, owner and founder of Uncle Fora Sports Cards and co-founder of The Brighton Football Card and Memorabilia Show, about how stickers have become big business.
It's important to remember that you aren't guaranteed to fetch huge amounts if you do choose to sell your stickers, as prices can fluctuate based on a number of factors.
For example, demand at the time you come to sell and how common it is in circulation can affect its value.
And remember that anyone can list a sticker on eBay and charge whatever amount they wish, but it's only ever worth what someone is willing to pay.
So, looking at listing prices isn't necessarily a reflection of what the are actually selling for.
You will get a more accurate indication of what people are willing to pay for a specific sticker by checking the "recently sold" section on eBay.
We picked Kevin's brain to find out which stickers are the most valuable and the exact designs you should be looking out for.
All of the values mentioned below are verified by auction house PWCC Market Place.
Lionel Messi 2006 Panini World Cup Germany Collection - £825.85
Lionel Messi's first ever World Cup sticker recently sold for over £800Lionel Messi is a world-renowned football star and current Inter Miami player.
He captained Argentina to World Cup victory in 2022, but it's the sticker from his first-ever tournament that interests collectors the most.
Mirror Football's Premier League team of 2022 as champions dominateKevin said: "Lionel Messi's first ever World Cup sticker recently sold in gem mint condition for £825.85 in early 2024.
"These stickers can be found in sealed packets and can be purchased on eBay for around £5 each."
The stickers inside each packet however are totally random, so you aren't guaranteed to find this Messi sticker inside.
1962-63 A & B C Footballers Bazooka - £1,123.59
England legend Bobby Moore is a popular sticker among collectorsBobby Moore was the captain of the England national team that won the 1966 FIFA World Cup.
For that reason, stickers featuring the legend can fetch a pretty penny.
"The late, great Sir Booby Moore's first ever official football card was recently sold in excellent condition for £1,123.59 at auction," said Kevin.
"A reasonably low price for the only ever player to captain a World Cup winning England team."
2016 Panini Foot Sticker Collection (FRA) - £2,358.54
Mbappe first ever football sticker once sold for over £18,000Kylian Mbappe is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of his generation.
He has played for Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 in France since his permanent move from Monaco in 2018.
Mbappe won the Golden Boot at the 2022 World Cup after he scored eight goals for the French national team
The star first appeared on a joint sticker in 2016, alongside fellow French footballer Corentin Jean.
Kevin said: "This joint sticker represents Mbappe's first ever football sticker printed by Panini.
"In recent years, this sticker once sold in gem mint condition for £18,868.32.
"Due to it's relatively young sticker age of only eight years, the sticker is less rate, with the highest paid price dropping to £2,358.54."
2002-03 Panini Futebol (POR) - £14,151.24
Ronaldo's rookie sticker sold for over £14,000 in April this yearCristiano Ronaldo is an Al-Nassr and Portugal footballer, formerly playing for Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Sporting Lisbon.
He is considered one of the greatest in this generation, so it's no surprise that his first ever could can fetch a hefty sum.
Kevin said: "One of the most sought after modern stickers in the collecting world.
"A Cristiano Ronaldo Sporting Lisbon rookie sticker in pristine condition sold in April 2024 at auction for £14,151.24."
A rookie card refers to a players' first card once they make their major league debut.
1978 Crack Campeonato Mundial - £56,604.96
Football legend Maradona's sticker has been known to fetched over £56,000Football legend Diego Maradona is widely regarded as one of the game's greatest ever players.
The Argentine forward - notorious for his infamous "hand of god" goal against England - died at his home in Brazil in 2020.
Maradona cards may be priceless to many collectors, but Kevin said there is one in particuar that is worth looking out for.
He told The Sun: "This Diego Maradona sticker is his first in an Argentina jersey, that arguably should have represented his first ever world cup, only for him to be caught in the middle of political turmoil involving Argentina's head coach at the time.
"This ultra rare near mint condition sticker sold for £56,604.96 two years ago, and hasn't been seen since."