Magic Johnson - USA / Perasovic - Croácia

Market outlook

Stable Outlook 4/10

Tied to enduring Dream Team legacy but common status and language barrier cap growth; no major population reports or hype cycles.

Next months. Stable at $5-15 raw; minor bumps from 2028 Olympics hype.

Long term. Stable to slight rise if graded Dream Team census grows; remains affordable entry-level card.

History

The card features Magic Johnson of the USA Dream Team, a legendary NBA icon who played his final international game in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics gold medal match against Croatia (117-85 win), and Velimir Perasović, a key Croatian guard who competed against the Dream Team; this commemorates the iconic XXV Jogos Olímpicos basketball final[1][3][4].

First released in 1993 as part of a Portuguese basketball trading card set dedicated to the 1992 Barcelona Olympics (XXV Jogos Olímpicos)[1][3].

• Magic Johnson's last game was the 1992 Olympic final vs. Croatia, marking the end of his career due to HIV diagnosis[1][4].
• USA Dream Team dominated, winning gold by 32 points over Croatia without calling a timeout[3].
• Card #78/84 is bilingual (USA/Perasovic - Croácia), highlighting the matchup in Portuguese[1].

Rarity and print run

Tier

Common

Print run

High

First printed in

XXV Jogos Olímpicos

Demand

Low

Supply

High

• Part of 84-card base set with high print run for mass distribution.
• No variants, stamps, or parallels noted.
• Niche Portuguese language limits broad appeal but increases regional scarcity.

Collector notes

Condition. Check for edge wear, centering issues common in 1990s cardstock, print defects on bilingual text, surface scratches from paper stock; avoid cards with off-center images or fuzzy player photos.

Storage. Use semi-rigid top-loaders or magnetic holders in cool, dry environment; avoid direct sunlight to prevent fading on Olympic-themed colors; sleeve in penny sleeves first.

Authenticity. Verify Portuguese text spelling (e.g., 'Croácia'), check thick 1990s cardstock thickness and dot-matrix print patterns; no known reprints, fakes rare but spot via mismatched fonts or thin card weight; consult Beckett or graded for grading.