Maradona ‘Hand of God’ and ‘Goal of the Century’ Soccer Ball Sells for $3.355 Million

The soccer ball used during two of the most famous goals in World Cup history has sold for $3,355,000 at Heritage Auctions.

The Adidas Azteca ball was used during Argentina’s 2-1 victory over England in the quarterfinals of the 1986 FIFA World Cup, a match forever remembered for Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal and his spectacular second goal just four minutes later, which was eventually voted the FIFA World Cup “Goal of the Century.”

The winning bid was $2.75 million. With Heritage’s 22% buyer’s premium, the final price reached $3.355 million. The ball was offered during Heritage’s August 21-23 Summer Platinum Night Sports Auction.

Maradona scored both goals during a four-minute stretch in the second half of the June 22, 1986 match at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. His first came in the 51st minute when he challenged England goalkeeper Peter Shilton for the ball and knocked it into the goal with his left hand. The referee allowed it to stand, and Maradona later famously described the play as being scored partly by his head and partly by the “hand of God.”

Four minutes later came a completely different piece of World Cup history. Maradona collected the ball in his own half and raced through England’s defense before beating Shilton and scoring. In 2002, FIFA.com users voted the play the World Cup Goal of the Century.

Heritage’s provenance for the ball begins with Tunisian referee Ali Bennaceur, who officiated the match. In a signed 2023 letter included with the lot, Bennaceur states that the same ball was used throughout the Argentina-England quarterfinal and remained in play for both Maradona goals. He took possession of it after the game and had fellow match officials Bogdan Dotchev, Berny Ulloa and Idrissa Traore sign it. Bennaceur then kept the ball in Tunisia for more than three decades.

The physical evidence was another major part of the offering. Sports Investors Authentication examined the ball and concluded that it was the Adidas Azteca used during the second half of the match, when both historic goals were scored. The company identified game wear, field marks, faded writing and distinctive handwritten markings on the ball.

SIA also photo-matched the ball to period images from the game, including photographs connected to both the Hand of God sequence and Maradona’s Goal of the Century run. A second independent photo-matching examination reached the same conclusion, using identifying marks, wear and creasing visible on the ball to distinguish it from other Adidas Azteca balls used during the tournament.

The ball no longer retains its original spherical shape because the internal rubber bladder has deteriorated over time. Heritage Auctions left the decision of whether to replace that bladder to its new owner. The lot was accompanied by Bennaceur’s provenance letter, photo-matching documentation from Sports Investors Authentication, additional photo-matching documentation and a Heritage Auctions letter of authenticity.

Heritage Auctions had placed an ambitious estimate of $10 million and up on the piece. Although the $3.355 million result came in below that figure, it still represents an extraordinary price for a single piece of match-used soccer memorabilia. The thing about estimates on one of a kind pieces that haven’t sold before is that no one really knows for sure until it goes to auction. Heritage Auctions was partly basing their estimate on the fact that the jersey worn by Maradona during the game sold for $9.2 million. While most collectibles have been greatly exceeding their auction estimates as of late, this is one rare case where the estimate was not met.