World · Sri Lanka Bureau
Maradona's iconic 'Hand of God' football sells for £2.5 million
The ball used in Diego Maradona's infamous 'Hand of God' goal has been sold at auction for £2.5 million, marking one of the most significant prices paid for a piece of sports memorabilia.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
The football became one of sport's most recognisable artifacts after Maradona's controversial goal during Argentina's 1986 FIFA World Cup quarter-final match against England. The goal, scored at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, has remained etched in sporting history as one of the sport's most contentious moments.
The ball was struck into the net by Maradona's hand rather than his head, a violation that went undetected by match officials. Despite the illegality of the goal, it stood and helped propel Argentina towards their eventual World Cup victory.
The sale underscores the enduring fascination with one of football's most memorable incidents. Maradona himself had long maintained possession of the ball as a symbol of his World Cup triumph, even as debate over the goal's legitimacy continued for decades across the global sporting community.
The successful auction demonstrates the substantial value collectors place on artifacts connected to pivotal moments in sports history, particularly items associated with legendary players and watershed tournaments.