Maradona's 'Hand of God' ball to auction, expected to exceed $10M

The ball Diego Maradona used to score both the 'Hand of God' goal and the 'Goal of the Century' against England in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal will be auctioned in the United States this month. Heritage Auctions expects the ball to sell for more than $10 million, with bidding starting at $2.5 million Source: El Colombiano. The auction runs from August 21 to 23 Source: Infobae.

Provenance and authentication

The ball was recovered by Tunisian referee Ali Bennaceur, who sold it in 2022 for £2 million (about $2.7 million) Source: Infobae. Heritage Auctions has authenticated it through Sports Investors Authentication, which compared markings and wear to match the game Source: Infobae. The ball, slightly deflated, bears signatures of the match officials Source: Infobae.

Historical significance

Maradona scored the two goals within 3 minutes and 49 seconds, according to FIFA records Source: Infobae. The 'Hand of God' goal was controversial, as Maradona punched the ball into the net, but the referee allowed it Source: El Mundo. The 'Goal of the Century' is considered the best in World Cup history Source: El Colombiano. Heritage Auctions' Dan Imler called it "without a doubt, the most historic ball in world football" Source: Diario Libre.

Context and records

The shirt Maradona wore in that match holds the record for the most expensive football shirt, at $9.3 million Source: El Colombiano. Argentina and England remain rivals, with tensions revived in the 2026 World Cup semifinal, where Argentina won 2-1 but lost the final to Spain Source: El Colombiano. Politically, the countries dispute the Falkland Islands Source: El Colombiano.