Ball from Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal up for auction, expected to fetch $10 million
The controversial goal from the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal still captures attention, and now the match ball is being offered to collectors.
The controversial goal from the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal still captures attention, and now the match ball is being offered to collectors.
The ball with which Diego Maradona scored the legendary, yet controversial, 'Hand of God' goal at the 1986 World Cup will be put up for auction. American auction house Heritage Auctions is organizing the sale from August 21 to 23, 2026, and it is estimated that the final price could reach as high as $10 million.
The starting price for this unique piece of football history is set at $2.5 million. Expectations are high, especially given that four years ago, Maradona's shirt from the same match sold for $9.3 million.
The World Cup quarterfinal match between Argentina and England was played at the stadium in Mexico City. In the 51st minute, with the score at 0-0, Maradona jumped and punched the ball into the net, which is clearly visible on television replays. Referee Ali Bennaceur from Tunisia awarded the goal, and Maradona later claimed that the ball went in "a little with the head of Maradona, and a little with the hand of God."
Just four minutes after that controversial goal, Maradona scored another, which is considered one of the greatest in history. Dribbling from the halfway line past four English players and the goalkeeper, he made it 2-0. England managed to pull one back to 2-1, but Argentina advanced. A week later, at the same stadium, they won the World Cup title by defeating West Germany 3-2.
Heritage Auctions confirmed the authenticity of the ball with a letter sent to them in 2023 by the match referee, Ali Bennaceur. In it, he states that he kept the only ball used in that match and that it had been in his possession for over 30 years. The ball also bears the signatures of his assistant referees from that match.
