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Permalink Reply by Mike P on March 31, 2012 at 1:49pm

They aren't; but they are getting better. They are more useful in authentication of the "popular names" (Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Ronaldinho, and Messi).   

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Permalink Reply by Brandon Mysinger on April 1, 2012 at 4:58am

Who is PSA's soccer expert? Who is the actual Authenticator that is getting these overseas teams in-person and updating their example collection as needed?

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Permalink Reply by Mike P on April 1, 2012 at 5:05pm

I can't answer that, I have no idea to be honest hahaha.  I can say that these "big club players" come to the USA quite often.  LA University hosts Real Madrid (Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo's team) nearly every year.  For example, they are playing Inter Milan (famous Italian club) here in New York at the Yankee stadium in the summer.  Brazil and Argentina are playing in New Jersey during the summer (Ronaldinho, Kaka, and Messi play for those teams).  So, I think I can say that PSA probably has representatives or collectors that submit exemplars from in person autographs, as these players do sign A LOT while in the Americas (Messi is now equivalent to the way Ronaldinho used to be, hard to get in person due to his performances and fame).  Also, Steiner Sports has a partnership with a British company called ICONS.  ICONS is licensed by FIFA and/or UEFA to sell memorabilia that they acquire from their private signings.  Cristiano Ronaldo NEVER signs privately for a company outside of ICONS unless it is a charity organization (like UNICEF) or his Nike sponsorship because Icons apparently gave him a deal when he was young and have established a healthy business relationship with him; the same can be said for Kaka and Messi except they are sponsored by Adidas.  Regarding Ronaldinho, he is a hard signature altogether and I haven't seen him participate in a private signing ever.  That being said, if an American company like Steiner sells European football products that are imported from Britain, maybe PSA/DNA gets a hold on exemplars?   

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