Maradona's 'Hand of God' World Cup jersey sells for record $9.3 million at auction

Seven bidders vied for the garment worn by the late football legend in the 1986 World Cup

AFP

By AFP

Published: Wed 4 May 2022, 7:49 PM

Last updated: Wed 4 May 2022, 10:38 PM

The jersey that Argentina football legend Diego Maradona wore when scoring twice against England in the 1986 World Cup, including the infamous "Hand of God" goal, was auctioned for $9.3 million, a record for any item of sports memorabilia, Sotheby's said Wednesday.

Seven bidders vied for the garment in an auction that began April 20 and ended Wednesday morning, Sotheby's said.

The record for a game-worn shirt from any sport is $5.6 million (about R88.5 million), set in 2019 for a jersey Babe Ruth wore while on the New York Yankees.

Maradona's daughter had cast doubt on the sale earlier this month when she claimed that the shirt put up for auction had been the one her father wore in the goalless first half, not the second when he scored his two goals.

Sotheby's had, however, insisted they have the right shirt, though.

It had been owned since the end of the controversial encounter by opposing midfielder Steve Hodge, who swapped his jersey with Maradona after England lost 2-1.

Hodge, whose autobiography is titled "The man with Maradona's shirt," has for the past 20 years loaned the jersey to be on public display at the National Football Museum in Manchester.

The quarter-final showdown became etched in football folklore for Maradona's two goals -- one notorious and one sublime -- in Mexico City's seething Aztec Stadium.

The first came shortly after half-time when Hodge, on the edge of the England penalty area, intercepted a pass and flicked the ball back towards goal.

If Diego Maradona's first goal against England was controversial, the second (pictured) was sublime

If Diego Maradona's first goal against England was controversial, the second (pictured) was sublime STAFF AFP

Maradona, running into the box, rose with England's 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."

Soon after, Maradona left five English defenders in his wake before gliding past Shilton and slotting home for a strike that was voted "Goal of the Century" in a 2002 FIFA poll.

Argentina went on to win the final and Maradona, who died from a heart attack in 2020, became worshipped in his home country.