$10 Million Ball: Maradona's Hand of God Up for Auction
The soccer ball used by Diego Maradona to score his infamous “Hand of God” goal in the 1986 World Cup is expected to sell for $10 million at a US auction. The ball, which is being auctioned by Heritage Auctions in Texas, was used by Maradona in the quarter-final match between Argentina and England, which Argentina won 2-1. Football collectors and fans are affected as they will have the opportunity to bid on this historic piece of sports memorabilia from August 21 to 23, with an opening bid of $2.5 million.
The ball is considered one of the most historic in the realm of soccer, as it was also used by Maradona to score the “Goal of the Century” in the same match. Dan Imler, vice president of sports at Heritage Auctions, noted that both goals scored by Maradona in that match are iconic and memorable. The auction of this ball is a significant event for sports memorabilia collectors, as it provides a rare opportunity to own a piece of football history.
The “Hand of God” ball is not the only notable item of Maradona’s to be sold at auction. The jersey he wore during the Argentina-England clash currently holds the record for the most expensive soccer shirt, selling for $9.3 million. The sale of the ball is expected to attract significant attention from football fans and collectors around the world.
The auction of the “Hand of God” ball is connected to the recent sale of Pelé’s 1958 World Cup final jersey, which sold for a record $4.9 million at a New York auction. This highlights the growing demand for sports memorabilia and the significant value that can be attached to historic items.
