Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ ball expected to fetch $10m at US auction

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The soccer ball that Diego Maradona used to score his notorious “Hand of God” goal during Argentina’s win over England in the 1986 World Cup is expected to sell for $10 million at a US auction this month.

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Maradona’s goal in the quarter-final match saw him illegally punch the ball into the net – a foul missed by the referee.

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After the match, the Argentine star said his goal was scored “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.” His nation went on to win the World Cup.

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Heritage Auctions, based in Texas, expects the ball will sell for eight figures when it goes under the hammer from August 21 to 23, with a $2.5 million opening bid.

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The jersey that Maradona, who died in November 2020, wore during the Argentina-England clash currently holds the record for the most expensive soccer shirt — standing at $9.3 million.

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Tensions between old foes Argentina and England flared again in a semi-final at this year’s World Cup, where the South American side prevailed before losing the final.

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Politically, the two sides have a long-standing sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands.

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AFP

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