One football carried two of the most recognisable moments in World Cup history. Now, 40 years after Argentina’s controversial quarter-final victory over England, it has found a new owner.
The Adidas Azteca was sold for exactly $3,355,000 at an auction in the United States. Bidding began at $2.5 million, although the pre-sale valuation had reached as high as $10 million, according to EFE.
Two goals that changed a World Cup
Maradona opened the scoring at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca in the 51st minute. He rose alongside England goalkeeper Peter Shilton and used his left hand to direct the ball into the net.
Neither Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser nor his assistant spotted the offence. With no video review available in 1986, the goal stood despite immediate protests from the England players.
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Just four minutes later, the same ball was at Maradona’s feet again. He collected possession inside his own half, accelerated through the England team and finished one of the finest individual goals the sport has seen.
The two moments became known as the “Hand of God” and the “Goal of the Century”. Heritage Auctions says the ball has been photo-matched to images from the match, supporting its provenance.
Argentina won 2-1 and eventually lifted the World Cup. The match also carried a political weight of its own, taking place only four years after the Falklands War between Argentina and Britain.
Kept by the referee for decades
Bin Nasser retained the ball after the final whistle and kept it for more than 30 years. He has also confirmed that it was not replaced between Maradona’s two goals.
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The referee eventually sold it for $2.37 million in 2022. It was offered for sale again in 2023, but a highest bid of $2.04 million failed to meet the reserve price, The Times reported.
Its latest price therefore represents a considerable increase on the 2022 sale. Even so, the final figure remained far below the ambitious $10 million valuation attached to it before the auction.
Maradona memorabilia remains expensive
The ball is not the only object from that afternoon to attract millions. The shirt worn by Maradona was sold in 2022 for £7.1 million, approximately $9.3 million at the time.
That shirt had belonged to former England midfielder Steve Hodge, who exchanged shirts with Maradona after the match. Its sale set a sporting memorabilia record at the time, The Guardian reported.
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The latest transaction underlines the enduring value attached to Maradona’s career. It also gives one anonymous collector possession of the ball behind both the most controversial and the most celebrated goals of the 1986 World Cup.
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