Maradona's 'Hand of God' ball sells for £2.5m
August 24, 2026 08:55
The Adidas ball used by Diego Maradona when he scored the so-called "Hand of God" goal in Argentina’s 1986 World Cup quarter-final against England sold at Heritage Auctions for $3.3m (£2.5m). The ball was offered in the United States on Saturday and changed hands after previously appearing at auction in 2022 and being put up again in 2023 without meeting the seller’s reserve.
The match is also remembered for Maradona’s second strike in the same game, later dubbed the "goal of the century." The item’s provenance traces directly to the match referee, Ali Bin Nasser, who collected the ball at full-time and kept it for decades.
KEY CONTEXT
- In the 1986 quarter-final, Maradona punched the ball past England keeper Peter Shilton for what became known as the "Hand of God" goal; minutes later he scored a solo effort that has been widely celebrated as the "goal of the century."
- Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser retrieved the match ball at the final whistle and retained it for more than 30 years.
- Bin Nasser provided a letter in 2023 attesting that the Adidas Azteca was the only ball used during the fixture; that statement was supported by further independent authentication referenced by the auction house.
- The same shirt Maradona wore in that match previously sold at auction for £7.1m in 2022.