Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' ball to go up for auction

Bidding will start on November 16 and could fetch up to £3 million, say London-based Graham Budd Auctions

Diego Maradona scores the infamous 'Hand of God' goal against England during the 1986 World Cup quarter-final. The ball will go under the hammer next month and could fetch more than $3 million. Photo: ABACAShow less

The ball that Diego Maradona used to score his infamous "Hand of God" World Cup goal for Argentina against England in 1986 will go under the hammer next month and could fetch up to £3 million ($3.4m).

Bidding will start on November 16 - two days before the opening game of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar - but prospective buyers can register online from October 28, London-based Graham Budd Auctions said.

"With the history surrounding the ball, we are expecting this lot to be hugely popular when it comes up for auction," Graham Budd, chair of the auction house, said in a statement.

The 1986 quarter-final between Argentina and England saw a heated build-up because of political tensions following the Falklands war and came to be defined by two contrasting goals scored by the late Maradona.

For the first one, Maradona ran into the box, rose with England goalkeeper Peter Shilton and punched the ball into the net.

He later said the goal had been scored "a little with the head of Maradona, a little with the hand of God".

Diego Maradona punches the ball past Peter Shilton of England to score the opening goal of the World Cup Quarter Final at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City in 1986. Photo: Bongarts

David Trezeguet (L) part of the France squad that lifted the 1998 World Cup, the forward also appeared in the 2006 final, missing his penalty in the shootout. Joined Baniyas in 2011, but stayed only a few months, and two league matches, citing injury as reason for leaving.  AFP PHOTO / Pedro UGARTE

(Standing, R)  Jorginho The former Brazil full-back, a member of the successful 1994 World Cup side and then assistant manager between 2006-2010, was appointed Al Wasl manager in 2014. Lasted only four months at the Zabeel Stadium, taking charge of six competitive matches, winning once. AFP PHOTO / AFP PHOTO / STAFF

Carlos Parreira the only manager to lead five different countries at a World Cup, the Brazilian guided his homeland to the title in 1994. By that stage, he had already managed the UAE twice, stepping into the breach in 1990 following Mario Zagallo’s departure. It remains the UAE’s only World Cup appearance. AFP PHOTO/GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS

Italian footballer Fabio Cannavaro,Captained Italy to victory in 2006, when the Azzurri prevailed on penalties. Ended a hugely successful club career at Al Ahli, joining directly after the 2010 World Cup although injury restricted him to one season. Then joined Cosmin Olaroiu’s coaching staff. AFP PHOTO / PEDRO UGARTE 

Italian forward Luca Toni, named in the team of the tournament in 2006 having helped Italy capture the title, the striker eventually signed for Al Nasr in January 2012. Was released five months later having failed to impress the Dubai club. Scored five times in 10 appearances. . AFP PHOTO/PATRICK HERTZOG 

England manager Roy Hodgson (C) England manager in 2014; was in charge of the UAE between 2002-2004. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS

Jorge Valdivia (L) Part of Chile’s team in 2010 and 2014; starred for Al Ain and latterly played for Al Wahda. AFP PHOTO / ROBERTO SCHMIDT

Dutch Phillip Cocu Represented the Netherlands in 1998 and 2006 and was assistant manager when runners-up in 2010; played for Al Jazira. AFP PHOTO / PATRICK HERTZOG

Ghana's forward Asamoah Gyan (L) Africa’s highest-scorer at the World Cup; starred at Al Ain before a modest spell at Al Ahli.  AFP PHOTO / Justin TALLIS

Italian goalkeeper Walter Zenga Italy goalkeeper in 1990; managed Al Ain, Al Nasr, Al Jazira and Al Shaab. AFP PHOTO 

Senegal national soccer team coach French Bruno Metsu (R) Masterminded Senegal’s shock win against holders France in 2002; managed the UAE, Al Ain - both with success - and Al Wasl. AFP PHOTO / PATRICK HERTZOG

The second came just four minutes later as Maradona sped past five English defenders and Shilton to score the "Goal of the Century", according to a 2002 Fifa poll.

Argentina won the grudge match 2-1 after referee Ali Bin Nasser let Maradona's controversial first goal stand, and the team went on to win the World Cup in Mexico.

"This ball is part of international football history, it feels like the right time to be sharing it with the world," said Bin Nasser, the owner of the ball.

In May, the jersey Maradona wore in the quarter-final sold at auction for nearly $9.3 million, more than twice the value predicted by Sotheby's.

But the record-setting sale for sports memorabilia worn on the field was surpassed in September when basketball legend Michael Jordan's 1998 NBA finals jersey sold for $10.1 million.

Maradona died aged 60 of heart failure in November 2020.

A Sotheby's art handler poses with the shirt worn by the late Argentinian great Diego Maradona during the 1986 World Cup, ahead of it being auctioned by Sotheby's in London on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. Reuters

The Argentina football shirt worn by Diego Maradona during the 1986 Mexico World Cup quarter-final against England is displayed at Sotheby's auction house on April 20, 2022. AP

The Argentina shirt worn by Diego Maradona in the 1986 Mexico World Cup quarter-final against England is displayed at Sotheby's auction house and is estimated to fetch £4 million. AP

The Argentina shirt worn by Diego Maradona in the 1986 Mexico World Cup quarter-final against and England - in which he scored the "Hand of God" goal - is displayed at Sotheby's auction house in London. AP

Diego Maradona’s historic 1986 World Cup shirt opens to the public at Sotheby's in London. The shirt was worn during the ‘Hand of God’ and ‘Goal of the Century’ goals. Getty

Diego Maradona’s 1986 World match shirt at Sotheby's in London. The online auction opened on Wednesday and is expected to fetch £4 million. Getty

Diego Maradona’s 1986 World Cup shirt is displayed at Sotheby's as it goes up for auction. Getty

There was some controversy over the authenticity of the Diego Maradona 1986 World Cup match shirt that is up for auction at Sotheby's in London. Getty

Diego Maradona's 1986 World Cup 'Hand of God' shirt on display at Sotheby's in London. PA

Diego Maradona's 1986 World Cup 'Hand of God' shirt on display at Sotheby's in London. PA