To celebrate the Castro Collects 2-year anniversary, Ric Ellis — the hobby's most knowledgeable insider — sits down with Castro and Konky for one of the most information-packed episodes Ten21 has ever done.

Ric breaks down why the Messi 2004 Panini Megacracks rookie — once basically free at your local shop — just hit $1.5 million for a PSA 10. He explains why Lamine Yamal cards are still a buy despite the oversigning concerns, who the most undervalued World Cup players are RIGHT NOW, and why the soccer card market will peak in May — before FIFA 2026 kicks off, not during it.

Plus — the $500K card investment debate: would you put half a million into a Messi, a Michael Jordan, a Lamine Yamal rookie, or a Pokémon card? The answer might surprise you.

They also get into the real story behind how card breaking was born, how Ric flipped Target and Walmart cards to keep his family fed during COVID, what's wrong with the card show experience and how to fix it, and why Fanatics taking over everything is both terrifying and necessary.

Topics covered:

• Castro Collects 2-year anniversary — how it all started

• Messi 2004 Megacracks: from worthless to $1.5 million • Lamine Yamal vs Messi — which card wins in 10 years?

• $500K debate: Messi, Jordan, Yamal, or Pokémon? • Pokémon beating the S&P 500 — Charizard can't tear an ACL

• FIFA 2026 card market prediction — buy in May, not during the tournament • Best under-$1,000 World Cup card investments right now

• How Ric used card flipping to survive COVID

• What's broken about card shows and how to fix it

• Fanatics, Topps, and the future of the hobby

• How breaking went from Castro's living room to Antoine Griezmann

Listen on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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