Maradona's 'Hand of God' soccer ball to be auctioned, expected to fetch $10 million

A soccer ball used by Argentinian legend Diego Maradona during the controversial "Hand of God" goal in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final against England is set to go under the hammer. The ball, which Maradona famously used his hand to score with, is being offered at a U.S. auction. Argentina won that match 2-1, with Maradona later quipping that the goal was scored by "Maradona's head and the hand of God." The controversial goal remains a significant moment in soccer history, especially as Argentina ultimately won the 1986 World Cup. The auction is scheduled from May 21-23, with Heritage Auctions estimating the ball could sell for $10 million (approximately 14.1 billion Korean won), starting at $2.5 million (3.5 billion Korean won). Dan Immler, the auction house's vice president of sports, called it "arguably the most significant ball in the history of the sport." He also noted that Maradona used the same ball for another goal in that match, where he dribbled past multiple defenders and the goalkeeper. Maradona passed away in November 2020, but items associated with him continue to command high prices. In 2022, the jersey he wore during the "Hand of God" incident sold for $9.3 million, setting a record for the most expensive sports jersey ever sold at auction.

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Maradona's head and the hand of God made the goal a little bit.