Maradona’s “Hand of God” ball expected to fetch millions at auction

Yesterday 12:22

By: Sahili Aya

Maradona’s “Hand of God” ball expected to fetch millions at auction

A football linked to one of the most famous moments in World Cup history is heading to auction in the United States, with the match ball used by Diego Maradona during Argentina’s 1986 quarter-final against England expected to fetch around $10 million.

The ball will be offered by Heritage Auctions in Texas from August 21 to 23, with bidding scheduled to open at $2.5 million. The auction house expects the final price to reach eight figures.

The ball behind the ‘Hand of God’

The match at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City remains one of the most celebrated and controversial games in World Cup history.

Maradona opened the scoring against England by directing the ball into the net with his hand, an incident that escaped the referee's attention. The Argentine later famously described the goal as being scored partly by his head and partly by the "hand of God."

Argentina went on to win the match 2-1 before eventually lifting the World Cup trophy.

Same ball used for the ‘Goal of the Century’

The historical significance of the football extends beyond the controversial opening goal.

The same ball was involved in Maradona's second goal of the match, widely known as the “Goal of the Century.” The Argentine captain embarked on a spectacular solo run, moving past several England defenders before beating the goalkeeper.

For Heritage Auctions executive Dan Imler, the combination makes the object exceptionally important within football history.

He described it as potentially the most historically significant football ever offered to collectors, given its association with two of Maradona's most iconic goals.

Maradona memorabilia commands record prices

Interest in the ball comes after another piece of Maradona's memorabilia achieved a record price.

The shirt worn by the Argentine during the 1986 Argentina-England match sold for $9.3 million, making it the most expensive football shirt ever recorded.

The new auction could therefore establish another landmark valuation for an object associated with Maradona's legendary World Cup campaign.

A rivalry with a history beyond football

The Argentina-England rivalry has continued to carry political and sporting significance decades after the 1986 match.

The two countries faced each other again at the 2026 World Cup, with Argentina advancing from their semi-final before ultimately losing the final.

Their relationship is also shaped by the long-running sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands, adding another layer of historical tension to encounters between the two nations.

Maradona's 1986 performance remains at the heart of that football rivalry, and the match ball now offers collectors an opportunity to acquire a tangible piece of one of the sport's most enduring stories.