[Explanation] The Qatar World Cup is in full swing, and the popularity of star cards has also soared.
What kind of product is this?
The reporter's inquiry found that star cards are often sold in the form of blind boxes, with prices ranging from tens of yuan to thousands of yuan, usually containing different numbers of cards and different types of cards.
For example, ordinary cards, cards with laser reflection, and even some rarer "signature cards" and "jersey cards".
[Same period] Mr. Lu, a sports card enthusiast
In fact, I started watching football and basketball, and then gradually fell in love with collecting star cards of my favorite stars.
I buy online, and sometimes I ask friends abroad to help me buy.
It was the World Cup during this period, so I paid attention to the star cards of Messi and Ronaldo. The price is very expensive, beyond my financial range, so I just think about it or forget it.
[Explanation] The reporter logged into a star card trading platform and found that the star cards of some well-known stars have become popular auctions, and the classification of the cards is also very detailed.
Buyers can choose the age, manufacturer, whether it is a rookie, whether it is limited, whether it is signed, etc., and the price is divided into three types: fixed price, auction, and negotiable price.
The rarer the limited card, the higher the price.
For example, the auction price of the "Gold Standard Ronaldo" star card listed on the platform is as high as 7.77 million yuan.
In this regard, experts pointed out that such sky-high prices may be the result of capital speculation.
[Concurrent] Associate Professor Liu Chunsheng, Central University of Finance and Economics
The star card thing is actually not happening now. We usually see some people hyping NBA star cards, and it seems to have become a business.
This thing is obviously a product of modern industrialization. I think the possibility it hypes may be higher than the investment value or collection value.
If there is room for profit, there will inevitably be some people who will speculate.
Some people, as fans of star cards, profited from the hype, which contributed to such a frenzy of capital accumulation.
[Explanation] As a fan, how should we correctly view the value of such products?
Liu Chunsheng said that from the perspective of sports economy, star cards have a certain collection and marketing value among certain groups, but fans should still treat its investment attributes cautiously and rationally, and avoid falling into the consumption trap due to impulse.
[Concurrent] Associate Professor Liu Chunsheng, Central University of Finance and Economics
During the heat of the World Cup, such a consumption is carried out in a feverish situation.
After the World Cup, at least to a certain extent, this year's star cards will dissipate the heat.
As an ordinary fan, collecting some small collections and peripheral products is also an all-round choice brought to you by the charm of our sports and the sports economy.
But everyone still needs to consume rationally, and make choices based on your spending power, your investment level, and your financial situation.
If you make irrational investments in this frenzied state, you will lose your head and blood, and I think this is something that everyone does not want to see.
Reporter Lang Jiahui reports from Beijing
Editor in charge: [Ji Xiang]