The ball with which Diego Maradona scored, notably with his hand, during Argentina’s legendary victory over England at the 1986 World Cup could be sold for more than $10 million at auction at the end of August in the United States. The sale organized by the American house Heritage Auctions, at the origin of this estimate, will be held from August 21 to 23. The starting price was set at $2.5 million.
The jersey worn by the Argentine star during this quarter-final won 2-1 by his team on June 22, 1986 in Mexico City was sold for a record price of 9.3 million $ in 2022. The ball was offered at auction in 2022 then in 2023, with bids reaching nearly 2 million each time.
This meeting, heavy with symbols four years after the Falklands War between the two countries, greatly contributed to writing the contrasting legend of Maradona, who died in November 2020 at the age of 60.
Kept by the referee who did not see the hand
In the 51st minute, the Argentine captain scored with the obvious help of his hand, ironically speaking after the match of “the hand of God”. Only four minutes later, “El Pibe de Oro” scored an anthology goal, starting from his side and eliminating four players then the English goalkeeper. His team went on to win the World Cup.
Heritage Auctions explains, on its website, that the referee, the Tunisian Ali Bennaceur, indicates in a letter dated 2023 that he recovered the only ball used during the match, had it signed by his deputies and kept it for more than 30 years.
The auction house adds that it had it authenticated by two companies specializing in sports collectibles, notably on the basis of photos.
