24.08.2026 15:10
The ball used in Diego Maradona's legendary 'Hand of God' goal against England at the 1986 World Cup was sold at auction for $3.3 million. Considered one of the most valuable memorabilia in football history, the ball had an estimated value of around $10 million before the auction.
The ball that witnessed one of the most unforgettable moments in football history changed hands. The ball used in Diego Maradona's goal against England in the 1986 World Cup, which went down in history as the "Hand of God," was sold for $3.3 million at auction.
ONE OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL GOALS IN FOOTBALL HISTORY
In the match where Argentina beat England 2-1 in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals, Maradona sent the ball into the net by touching it with his hand over goalkeeper Peter Shilton. After the match, Maradona described the goal with the words, "A little with Maradona's head, and a little with the hand of God." This phrase later went down in football history.
HE ALSO SCORED THE "GOAL OF THE CENTURY" IN THE SAME MATCH
The Argentine legend also scored another historic goal in the same match. Maradona, who dribbled past the English defense one by one, also beat goalkeeper Shilton to find the net. This goal later came to be known as the "Goal of the Century."
SOLD FOR $3.3 MILLION
At the auction organized by Heritage Auctions in the USA, the Adidas Azteca ball was sold for $3.3 million. Before the auction, it was estimated that the ball's value could reach around $10 million.
It was reported that the Tunisian referee of the match, Ali Bin Nasser, kept the ball he received after the match for over 30 years. Bin Nasser confirmed with a document he signed in 2023 that this was the only ball used in the match.
PREVIOUSLY SOLD FOR $2.37 MILLION
Bin Nasser first sold the historic ball for $2.37 million in 2022. The new owner put the ball up for auction again in 2023, but the sale did not take place as offers did not reach the set minimum sale price. The jersey Maradona wore in the same match also found a buyer for £7.1 million at an auction held in 2022.