Maradona's 'Hand of God' Ball to Fetch $10 Million at US Auction
SCMP · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago1 MIN
Summary
The football that Diego Maradona used to score his infamous "Hand of God" goal during Argentina's 1986 World Cup quarter-final victory over England is expected to sell for US$10 million at a US auction this month . The same ball was also used for his legendary "Goal of the Century" in the same match at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca . Heritage Auctions in Texas will conduct the sale from August 21 to 23, with an opening bid of US$2.5 million .
Key Points
- The auction runs August 21-23 at Heritage Auctions in Texas, with a US$2.5 million opening bid and US$10 million expected sale price .
- Maradona punched the ball past England's goalkeeper in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final, which Argentina won 2-1 .
- The Argentine star later described the goal as scored "a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God" .
- The same ball was used for Maradona's "Goal of the Century," where he dribbled past multiple English defenders .
- Maradona's jersey from that match holds the record for most expensive soccer shirt at US$9.3 million .
Why It Matters
The auction underscores how sports memorabilia has become a major alternative investment class, with prices rivaling fine art. For Hong Kong collectors and investors, this sale may signal growing liquidity in the global sports memorabilia market, where Asian buyers have increasingly participated in high-profile auctions.
The auction underscores how sports memorabilia has become a major alternative investment class, with prices rivaling fine art. For Hong Kong collectors and investors, this sale may signal growing liquidity in the global sports memorabilia market, where Asian buyers have increasingly participated in high-profile auctions.