Maradona's 'Hand of God' Ball Fetches £2.5M at Auction!

The legendary football used by Diego Maradona to score his infamous “Hand of God” goal against England in the 1986 World Cup has once again made headlines, fetching a staggering £2.5 million at a recent auction. This iconic piece of sports history was central to one of football's most controversial moments.

The incident occurred during the quarter-final match in Mexico City, where Argentina faced England.

Maradona netted two goals in their 2-0 victory. The first, a contentious handball that famously beat English goalkeeper Peter Shilton, later became known globally as the “Hand of God.” Shortly after, Maradona scored a second, truly sublime solo goal, solidifying his legend and propelling Argentina towards World Cup glory.

While the ball sold for $3.3 million (£2.5 million) at Heritage Auctions in the United States on Saturday, it didn't quite reach the initial high expectations, which had estimated its value at around $10 million (£7.3 million). The match's referee, Tunisian Ali Bin Nasser, originally collected the Adidas Azteca ball after the game and kept it for over three decades.

Bin Nasser first sold the ball at auction in 2022 for $2.37 million (£1.74 million). It was re-listed a year later but failed to sell as bids did not meet the minimum required value. The referee's failure to spot Maradona's handball allowed the controversial goal to stand, a decision that has been debated by football fans for decades.

Maradona himself famously quipped after the game that the goal was scored “

a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.

” This latest sale continues the legacy of a moment that forever etched itself into sporting folklore. #Maradona #HandOfGod #FootballHistory #SportsMemorabilia