One of the most iconic pieces of soccer history has returned to the spotlight. The ball used by Diego Armando Maradona to score the legendary "Hand of God" goal at the 1986 World Cup was sold this weekend for $3.35 million at an auction organized by Heritage Auctions in the United States.
Maradona's "Hand of God" Ball Sells at Auction for $3.35 Million
The ball used by Diego Armando Maradona to score one of the most famous goals in soccer history has found a new owner for a multimillion-dollar price, although the final figure fell well short of initial auction expectations.
The ball was part of one of the most memorable matches of all time: Argentina's 2-1 victory over England in the quarterfinals of Mexico 1986.
However, despite the item's enormous historical significance, the final price came in considerably below expectations.
An Auction Expected to Reach $10 Million
Bidding began at $2.5 million, with expectations that the ball could break records. Pre-auction estimates suggested it could even sell for close to $10 million, but the final price ultimately stopped at $3.35 million.
Its historical value is directly linked to Maradona's controversial goal against England. The Argentine jumped to challenge for the ball and ultimately sent it into the net with his hand, an infringement that went unnoticed by the referee, who allowed the goal to stand.
After winning the World Cup with Argentina, Maradona immortalized the moment by explaining that the goal had been scored "a little with Maradona's head and a little with the hand of God."
Maradona's Jersey Sold for a Much Higher Price
The ball's final price also attracted attention when compared with another historic piece of memorabilia from the same match.
The jersey worn by Maradona against England was auctioned in 2022 for more than €8 million, becoming one of the most expensive pieces of sports memorabilia ever sold.
Although the ball failed to approach that figure or meet the auction house's projections, its $3.35 million price confirms the extraordinary value that memorabilia connected to Maradona continues to command, particularly items associated with his historic performance at Mexico 1986.
