Yaya Touré
Central Midfielder · FC Barcelona
Topps / Merlin UEFA Champions League Official Trading Card Game #93
Year & Era
2008-09 — UEFA Champions League Era
Card Type
Base Card / Trading Card Game (TCG) Card
Grade
Raw — Excellent (EX) 5-6 range
Rarity
Common; high print run TCG card produced for the European market.
Overall Assessment
A nice budget-friendly collectible of a legend in his prime. Ideal for a player-specific PC (personal collection) or a Barcelona team set, but not a high-end investment piece.
Condition Grade
Raw — Excellent (EX) 5-6 range
Centering Assessment
Front: No traditional borders, but appears shifted downward based on graphic margins. Back: Not visible.
Surface Condition
Near Mint; shows minor micro-scratches typical of matte-finish TCG cards. No major creases or staining visible.
Corner Condition
Visible wear on upper left and lower left corners. Corners show rounding and white paper loss (chipping).
Edge Condition
Frequent white chipping along the left vertical edge. Roughness visible on the bottom edge from play or handling.
Print Quality
Standard TCG quality; slightly muted colors compared to premium chrome products, but legible graphics.
Estimated Value
$2.00 - $10.00 USD (Raw condition)
Comparison to Known Examples
This copy shows more edge and corner wear than a 'Pack Fresh' example, placing it in the lower tier of collectible condition.
Authentication Tips
Check for correct card stock thickness and the specific gloss/matte texture of Merlin cards from 2008. High-resolution print dot patterns should be visible under magnification.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for grading. The cost of authentication and grading exceeds the market value of the card.
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed; the card appears to be an authentic mass-produced TCG card of the era.
Provenance Notes
Originally distributed in foil packs in Europe as part of a collectible card game aimed at children and hobbyists.
Historical Context
Depicts Touré during his tenure at Barcelona where he won the historic treble (La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Champions League) in 2009.
Market Trends
Touré cards have a niche following among Manchester City and Barcelona collectors, but TCG base cards remain relatively flat in value.
Investment Potential
Low; mass-produced TCG cards rarely see significant appreciation compared to limited parallels or rookie cards.
Similar Cards
2008 Panini WAG FC Barcelona, 2010 Panini World Cup Yaya Touré, 2013 Topps Premier League Yaya Touré.
Display & Preservation
Store in a standard 2.5 x 3.5 inch penny sleeve and top-loader to prevent further edge chipping.
Interesting Facts
Despite being a midfielder, Touré played as a center-back for Barcelona in the 2009 Champions League Final due to injuries/suspensions.