Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ World Cup Ball Set To Fetch $10m At Auction

The football Diego Maradona punched into the net for his infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal against England at the 1986 FIFA World Cup is set to go under the hammer in the United States this month, with the ball expected to fetch around $10 million.

The historic ball will be auctioned by Texas-based Heritage Auctions from 21 to 23 August, with bidding opening at $2.5 million.

The ball was used during Argentina’s 2-1 quarter-final victory over England at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where Maradona controversially used his left hand to beat England goalkeeper Peter Shilton and put Argentina ahead.

Maradona later famously described the goal as being scored ‘a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God’.

Argentina went on to win the match and eventually lifted the World Cup trophy.

The same ball was also used for Maradona’s second goal of the match, one of the most celebrated goals in football history. The Argentine captain collected the ball inside his own half before dribbling past several England defenders and Shilton to complete a remarkable solo effort that became known as the ‘Goal of the Century’.

Dan Imler, vice-president of sports at Heritage Auctions, described the item as potentially the most significant football ever offered at auction.

“I think it’s easily the most historic ball in the realm of soccer,” Imler said.

He added that the significance of the ball was enhanced by the fact that it was involved in both of Maradona’s goals in the famous quarter-final.

“Both of the goals scored are just so iconic, so memorable,” Imler said.

The auction comes after another piece of memorabilia from the same match set a record. The shirt worn by Maradona during the England encounter sold for $9.3 million, making it the most expensive football shirt ever sold at auction.

Maradona, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, died in November 2020 at the age of 60.