Maradona's 'Hand of God' ball sells for record amount at auction
The ball from Maradona's historic 'Hand of God' goal at the 1986 World Cup has been sold at public auction for $3.35 million, in a deal that revives one of the most controversial moments in football history.
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In a public auction that drew widespread interest from sports memorabilia enthusiasts, the ball with which the late Argentine legend Diego Maradona scored his famous 'Hand of God' goal against the English national team during the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico was sold for $3.35 million, according to multiple media reports.
The BBC reported that the ball was sold for £2.5 million, while other sources indicated the deal was worth $3.35 million, at an auction organized by Graham Budd Auctions in London.
The historic item dates back to the match between Argentina and England at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on June 22, 1986, when Maradona opened the scoring in a controversial manner, handling the ball before it crossed the line, with the referee ignoring the goal and dismissing England players' protests.
Just four minutes later, Maradona scored another goal that many have described as the 'Goal of the Century,' dribbling past five English players before slotting the ball into the net, leading his country to a 2-1 victory and a place in the semi-finals.
The ball was in the possession of Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser, who officiated the match, before it passed into private collections, where it remained preserved for decades before being put up for auction.
Officials at the auction house said the ball attracted significant interest from collectors around the world, and that the final price reflects the historical and symbolic value of this unique piece.
The sale comes years after Maradona's passing in November 2020, as his memory remains strongly present in football circles, and the 'Hand of God' goal continues to spark debate between those who view it as sporting deceit and those who see it as part of the genius of a player who led Argentina to the world title that year.
This ball is considered one of the most expensive sports memorabilia items sold at public auctions, as its price exceeded the amounts fetched by other shirts and balls belonging to football stars throughout history.