A soccer ball Diego Maradona used to score his “Hand of God” goal in Argentina’s 1986 World Cup quarter-final win over England is set to go on the auction block in the United States. Multiple outlets report the ball is expected to fetch around US$10 million at a US auction scheduled for later this month.
The goal came at Estadio Azteca when Maradona punched the ball past England’s goalkeeper as Argentina won 2-1. After the match, Maradona described the finish as coming “a little” from his head and “a little” from his hand. Coverage also places the auction within the wider story of the match, noting that the same game included Maradona’s “Goal of the Century,” in which he dribbled past several opponents.
Outlets differ mainly in emphasis and sourcing: some focus on the anticipated price, while others include details such as the auction house, Heritage Auctions, and the auction dates (August 21 to 23), along with the opening bid. One report also draws broader context by mentioning renewed Argentina-England tensions at the recent World Cup and the countries’ long-running Falkland Islands dispute.
