Maradona’s historic “Hand of God” ball auctioned for 3.35 million dollars
The ball used during the unforgettable clash between Argentina and England in the 1986 Mexico World Cup, the centerpiece of Diego Armando Maradona’s legendary goal known as the “Hand of God,” was sold this weekend at an auction held in the United States.
The auction house Heritage Auctions was in charge of managing the sale of this cult object, which reached a final price of 3.35 million dollars. Although the figure represents a considerable sum, it fell below the initial expectations of some experts, who speculated it could reach up to 10 million dollars.
An object with history at the Azteca Stadium
The ball was a direct witness to the quarter-final match played at the Azteca Stadium, where Maradona starred in one of the most controversial and talked-about plays of all time. After lifting the sphere over the English goalkeeper, the Argentine star used his hand to put the ball into the net, an infraction that the referee overlooked and which remained etched in the collective memory of the sport.
The goal was scored a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.
Diego Armando Maradona
That match ended in a 2-1 Argentine victory, setting the team on the path to winning the world title and consolidating Maradona as the undisputed star of the tournament.
Comparison with other collectibles
Despite its incalculable historical value, the price of the ball did not manage to surpass the record set by the jersey that “Pelusa” wore during the same match. That garment was auctioned in 2022 for a figure exceeding eight million euros, remaining one of the most expensive sports items ever sold.
With this transaction, the ball joins the select list of relics linked to the career of Diego Armando Maradona, reaffirming the constant interest that the figure of the Argentine idol awakens in the international sports collectibles market.
