Forty years after Diego Maradona stunned the world with his infamous “Hand of God” goal, in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final, the ball been sold at auction for €2.5 million.
The sale, held by Heritage Auctions in Dallas on August 23, 2026, cemented the ball’s place as one of the most valuable pieces of football ever.
Maradona punched the ball past goalkeeper Peter Shilton in Argentina’s 2-1 win over England. After the game, he told reporters it had been scored “a little with the head of Maradona and little with the hand of God.”
A specialist auctioneer at Heritage said, “It’s a true one-of-one item. Arguably the most significant soccer item that exists.”
Tunisian Ali Bin Nasser, who refereed the match in 1986, collected the Adidas Azteca ball and kept it at full-time for more than three decades.
In 2023, he signed a letter to confirm it was the only ball used during the match, a claim backed by independent verification.
Maradona’s shirt worn during the same match was sold for €7.1 million at auction in 2022.
The ball represents more than just leather and stitching; it embodies the Maradona legacy, brilliance and unmatched artistry.
