Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ Football Sells for £2.5m

The football that became famously known for Diego Maradona’s ‘hand of God’ goal during the 1986 World Cup has been sold at auction for £2.5 million. This historic piece of sports memorabilia was used in the quarter-final match where Argentina triumphed over England with a score of 2-1. In this match, Maradona’s controversial goal was scored as he punched the ball past English goalkeeper Peter Shilton.

Following the match, Maradona would describe the moment, stating it was scored “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.” The same match also featured what many call the ‘goal of the century,’ where Maradona dribbled past five England players before scoring again.

The ball was auctioned at Heritage Auctions in the United States on Saturday, selling for $3.3 million (£2.5 million), a figure that, while significant, fell short of the anticipated $10 million (£7.3 million). Mike Provenzale, an auctioneer with Heritage, remarked on the ball’s uniqueness, calling it, “a true one-of-one item. Arguably the most significant soccer item that exists.”

Ali Bin Nasser, the Tunisian referee who officiated the match, had kept the Adidas Azteca ball for over thirty years after the game. In 2023, he confirmed through a signed letter that it was indeed the only ball used during the match, further verifying its authenticity with additional independent authentication.

Before its recent sale, Bin Nasser had originally sold the ball in 2022 for $2.37 million (£1.74 million). This new sale comes after it was put up for auction again in 2023, though initial bids did not meet the minimum set. In an equally notable point of interest, the shirt worn by Maradona in that match had fetched a staggering £7.1 million at an earlier auction in 2022.

This latest auction reinforces the enduring legacy of Maradona, showcasing the cultural and historical impact of such iconic sports moments.