Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' ball without passing records
The ball that Maradona scored in the 1986 quarter-finals sold for $3.35 million at a heritage auction that beat expectations.
Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' ball without breaking records
According to Sports.
Background
This ball, in relation to Maradona's historic goal, remains an important part of sporting memory. Commemorating Maradona's performance and the controversy surrounding that match, this ball holds a special place in the history of the sport.
Why this matters
Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' ball played a crucial role in the historic match between Argentina and England in the 1986 World Cup. The sale of the ball marks an important moment in the sport's history, and further strengthens Maradona's legacy, highlighting his importance in world football.
Highlights
- Diego Maradona 'Hand of God' ball without crossing records.
- The ball used to score Maradona's goal in the 1986 quarterfinals sold for $3.35 million at a heritage auction, beating expectations.
- Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' ball falls short of breaking records, but sells for $3.35 million at auction.
The ball, which was part of two of Diego Maradona's memorable goals for Argentina against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals, sold out below expectations at the upcoming event. The ball, popularly known as the 'Hand of God', was auctioned by Heritage Auctions this summer. Although Heritage initially hoped to sell the ball for around $10 million, it fell short of the record hopes shared.
Bidding had started at $2.5 million when the auction closed Friday night. That final bid came in at $3.35 million, leaving active bidding behind — information first reported by The Athletic. Although the price was well below the initial estimate, the ball has seen significant business as a souvenir of historical importance.
The sale did not come close to the price that Maradona's jersey, worn in the same match, fetched as Heritage had hoped. Maradona's jersey worn in the same match set an interesting record at Sotheby's in 2022 for around $9.3 million. Also, at every minimum the ball still isn't a contender for the record for the most expensive sports ball — that advance was surpassed by Shohei Ohtani's 50th home run ball hit in 2024, which sold for $4.392 million.
The ball has had a dangerous run in history: Marchadona's first goal was controversial due to his use of his hand, which was later recognized as a false result due to the lack of VAR in the match. Another goal from Maradona's path four minutes later proved to be the match winner; Argentina eventually won the World Cup title that year. All these factors earned the ball the distinct identity of 'Hand of God'.
Looking at other sales history, the ball was first purchased by Graham Budd Auctions in 2022—when it was listed for $2.37 million. Although put up for auction again in 2023, the sale did not go ahead as the last bid then fell short of the reserve price at 2.04 million. In the summer of this year, the ball rejoined the list with increased hype towards the 2026 World Cup.
Analysts from there point to a few reasons why it could not reach the expected price this time around: some analysts say that factors such as the fact that the auction ends a month after the end of a major tournament, as well as the fact that Argentina's final victory has no definite effect, may have little impact. Subsequent appraisals show that the value of Maradona memorabilia fluctuates between auction market trends and historical values.
The incident is an interesting chapter in football history: even if a goal is awarded in a match, the values of match-related goods, the global market, memorabilia trends and the current context of the game's action combine to influence their high prices.
What happens next
Following the sale of this ball, Heritage Auctions may explore the market for more valuable sporting goods. With the 2026 World Cup approaching, the legacy and recognition of players like Maradona is likely to increase, leading to more auctions in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' ball sell for?
Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' ball sold for $3.35 million.
When was this ball sold?
The sale of this ball ended on Friday night.
Why did Heritage Auctions sell this ball?
Heritage Auctions sold the ball as a souvenir of historical significance.
What are the pre-sale expectations of this ball?
Heritage Auctions hopes to sell the ball for around $10 million.
Why is this ball controversial?
This ball was the hand of Diego Maradona for his first goal
Controversy due to Yoga.
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