The ball Diego Maradona used to score his famous “Hand of God” goal at the 1986 World Cup has sold at auction for $3.35 million.
The Adidas Azteca was used throughout Argentina’s 2-1 quarterfinal victory over England in Mexico City. Maradona scored both of Argentina’s goals, producing two moments that became part of World Cup history.
The match remains a defining chapter in the Argentina-England World Cup rivalry, which was renewed when the two countries met again at the 2026 World Cup.
Heritage Auctions sold the ball in the United States on Saturday. The price was far below its pre-sale estimate of about $10 million.
Two goals that defined a World Cup classic
Maradona opened the scoring in the 51st minute at the Estadio Azteca. The Argentina captain challenged England goalkeeper Peter Shilton for a high ball and used his left hand to knock it into the net.
The match officials did not see the handball and allowed the goal to stand. Maradona later said it had been scored “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.” The remark gave the goal the name that has followed it for four decades.
Four minutes later, Maradona scored again. This time, there was little controversy over the quality of the goal. He collected the ball inside Argentina’s half, moved past five England outfield players and beat Shilton. The solo run was later voted FIFA’s World Cup “Goal of the Century.”
England pulled one goal back, but Argentina held on to win 2-1. The team later defeated West Germany 3-2 in the final to win the World Cup.
Referee kept the ball for decades
Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser, who officiated the quarterfinal, collected the ball after the match and kept it for more than three decades.
In 2023, Bin Nasser signed a letter stating that it was the only ball used during the game. Specialists have also matched identifying marks on the ball with photographs from the match. Heritage said the photo-matching linked it to both of Maradona’s goals.
Bin Nasser sold the ball in 2022 for $2.37 million. Its new owner offered it for sale again in 2023, but bidding failed to reach the reserve price.
Ahead of the latest sale, Heritage specialist Mike Provenzale called the ball a “true one-of-one item” and described it as arguably the most significant piece of soccer memorabilia in existence.
Maradona memorabilia commands millions
The $3.35 million price adds another multimillion-dollar sale to the market for memorabilia connected to Maradona, who died in 2020 at age 60. The Argentine star also had ties to Greece, including appearances at Olympiacos events in 2005 and 2006.
The Argentina shirt he wore during the same match sold for £7.1 million, or about $9.3 million, at a Sotheby’s auction in 2022. High prices for historic sports objects extend beyond football. In 2026, a rare medal from the first modern Olympics in Athens sold for about $179,000.
The ball carries an unusual place in football history because it was involved in both goals. One remains among the sport’s most disputed World Cup moments. The other is widely regarded as one of its greatest goals.
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