The football with which Diego Maradona scored his “Hand of God” goal against England in 1986 has been sold at auction for £2.5m.
The football used during the England-Argentina clash in 1986 was previously sold in 2022. Pic: PA
The Argentina player controversially punched the ball over England goalkeeper Peter Shilton at the Azteca in Mexico in the second half of their World Cup quarter-final clash.
Despite strong England protests, the referee allowed the goal in what would become one of the most controversial moments in World Cup history.
Diego Maradona’s controversial goal. Pic: Bevilacqua Giuliano/ABACA/Shutterstock© Rex Features
Just four minutes later, Maradona, who died in 2020, scored what was arguably one of the greatest ever goals after he beat several England players in a meandering run from his own half.
Maradona scores his second goal against England. Pic: Sven Simon/picture-alliance/dpa/AP© Associated Press
Despite a late Gary Lineker goal, England lost 2-1.
The match ball sold for $3.3m (£2.5m) at Heritage Auctions in the US, although there were hopes it would fetch nearer $10m (£7.3m).
The match referee Ali Bin Nasser, from Tunisia, kept the ball for more than 35 years before selling it for $2.37m (£1.74m).
Heritage Auctions said independent authentication shows it was the “Adidas Azteca” ball used during the second half when “both historic goals were scored”.
“The central referee who awarded the most debated goal in football history identifies this as the ball he removed from the field and preserved,” the auction house added.
Argentina later won the 1986 World Cup, beating West Germany 3-2 in the final – but it was the goals scored by Maradona against England which would engage football fans for years to come.
