Maradona's 'Hand of God' ball sells for £2.5m

The iconic football used by Diego Maradona for his infamous 'Hand of God' goal during the 1986 World Cup quarter-final against England has sold for £2.5 million ($3.3 million) at Heritage Auctions in the United States. Maradona controversially punched the ball past goalkeeper Peter Shilton in Argentina's 2-1 victory. He famously told reporters after the match that the goal was scored "a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God."

In the same match, Maradona also scored what is widely regarded as the 'goal of the century,' dribbling past five England players before scoring. While the ball was expected to fetch closer to $10 million (£7.3 million), it ultimately sold for $3.3 million. Mike Provenzale, a specialist auctioneer at Heritage, described the item as "a true one-of-one item. Arguably the most significant soccer item that exists."

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

The Adidas Azteca ball was collected by Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser, who officiated the 1986 match. Bin Nasser kept the ball for over three decades before selling it in 2022 for $2.37 million (£1.74 million). Its new owner put it up for auction again in 2023, but it did not sell as bids failed to meet the reserve price. The shirt Maradona wore during the same game achieved a higher price, selling for £7.1 million at auction in 2022.

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It's a true one-of-one item. Arguably the most significant soccer item that exists.