The ball that became iconic due to one of football’s most controversial moments is back in the spotlight. The ball used by Diego Maradona to score the famous “Hand of God” goal against England during the 1986 World Cup will be auctioned.
The auction, organized by Heritage Auctions in the United States, will take place from August 21 to 23, starting with a base price of $2.5 million (approximately €2.2 million). However, expectations are much higher: the auction house estimates bids could exceed €8.6 million, making it one of the most valuable football memorabilia items, according to abola.pt.
The Ball from the 1986 Quarterfinal Match between Argentina and England Will Be Auctioned
This object was present during the renowned Argentina-England match in the quarterfinals of the 1986 World Cup, held on June 22 at the Estadio Azteca. In a match filled with symbolism, just four years after the Falklands War, Diego Maradona created two of the most famous moments of his career.
In the 51st minute, the Argentine captain outmaneuvered goalkeeper Peter Shilton and deflected the ball into the net with his hand. Tunisian referee Ali Bennaceur validated the goal, and after the match, Maradona described the incident with a mix of irony and provocation as the “Hand of God.”
Just four minutes later, Maradona further cemented the match’s legendary status. He dribbled past four opponents, beat the goalkeeper, and scored one of the most extraordinary goals in World Cup history. Argentina won the match 2-1, advanced to the semifinals, and later claimed the trophy, defeating West Germany 3-2 in the final.
The shirt worn by Maradona in that match was sold for €8 million in 2022. Now, it is the ball from that historic afternoon that is set to reach a true fortune.
