**Maradona's 'Hand of God' Ball Sells for £2.5 Million at Auction**
The iconic football used by Diego Maradona to score his legendary 'Hand of God' goal during the 1986 FIFA World Cup has been sold at auction for £2.5 million ($3.3 million). The ball was auctioned by Heritage Auctions in the United States, where it was expected to fetch a significantly higher price of around $10 million (£7.3 million).
Maradona's infamous goal took place during the quarter-final match between Argentina and England, where he punched the ball past goalkeeper Peter Shilton, leading to a 2-1 victory for Argentina. In a memorable post-match statement, Maradona described the goal as being scored "a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God." This moment has since become one of the most talked-about incidents in football history.
In addition to the 'Hand of God' goal, Maradona also scored what is often referred to as the 'goal of the century' during the same match. He dribbled past five England players before scoring, further cementing his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
The ball, an Adidas Azteca, was collected by Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser at the end of the match. Bin Nasser held onto the ball for over 30 years before selling it in 2022 for $2.37 million (£1.74 million). He later confirmed its authenticity with a signed letter, stating it was the only ball used during the match, a claim that has been independently verified.
Despite the high expectations for the auction, the final sale price of £2.5 million reflects a notable decrease compared to initial estimates. Mike Provenzale, an auctioneer at Heritage, emphasized the ball's significance, calling it "a true one-of-one item" and arguably "the most significant soccer item that exists."
In a related note, the shirt worn by Maradona during the same match was sold at auction in 2022 for a staggering £7.1 million, highlighting the enduring legacy and value of artifacts related to the football legend.
As the auction results demonstrate, memorabilia associated with Maradona continues to attract significant interest from collectors and fans alike, reflecting the profound impact he had on the sport and its history.