Diego Maradona's ‘Hand of God’ match ball from Argentina's 1986 World Cup win over England fetches $3.3m in auction

The match ball with which legendary Diego Maradona scored the famous ‘Hand of God’ goal for Argentina against England during the 1986 World Cup, has been sold at an auction in the United States for $3.3 million (which is approximately ₹31.6 crore).

The goal took place in the quarterfinal match at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, six minutes into the second half. Taking the ball out of the box with his left leg, Maradona passed it to teammate Jorge Valdano, who tried to dribble on several English defenders.

However, the ball was intercepted and was kicked towards England's goal by English midfielder Steve Hodge. Maradona, who was inside the penalty box, got the ball and went towards the goal. England's goalkeeper Peter Shilton jumped forward towards an onrushing Maradona to avert the danger.

But Maradona, who jumped too with his left arm outstretched, fisted the ball, which went up close to his head, causing a loop over Shilton into the back of the net. After England players protested against the goal, Tunisian referee Ali Ben Nasser sought advice from his second linesman who confirmed Maradona's goal. There was no video replay system at that time.

It was the same ball which Maradona dribbled past five England defenders to score past Shilton for Argentina's second goal four minutes later. It was later declared as the 'Goal of the Century'. Gary Lineker pulled a goal back for England with a header in the 81st minute. Argentina won the game 2-1.

While he did not admit it soon after, the Argentina legend did speak up on his 'Hand of God' goal in 2005 in an Argentinean television program La Noche del 10. Maradona confessed that he did scored the goal with his hand, which Shilton rejected stating its too late for an apology.

Where was the ball for three decades?

This is not the first time this very match ball got auctioned. Ben Nasser collected the Adidas Azteca ball and kept it with him for more than three decades. He sold the ball in 2022 for $2.37 million before its new owner once again put it in auction a year later but did not find any buyers.

In 2023, Ben Nasser signed a letter to confirm that it was the only ball used in that game and was also confirmed by further independent authentication. However, the ball, which was sold at at Heritage Auctions in the United States on Saturday, expected to fetch nearer $10 million.

Mike Provenzale, a specialist auctioneer at Heritage, told Reuters, “It's a true one-of-one item. Arguably the most significant soccer item that exists.” Maradona breathed his last on November 25, 2020, at the age of 60. He passed away from a heart attack at his home in Tigre, near Buenos Aires.