Argentina: Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' Jersey Fetches Crazy $9 Million Price at Auction

Argentina football superstar Diego Maradona's jersey, which he wore during his famed "Hand of God" goal in the 1986 World Cup, was placed in auction and cost millions for its final price.

According to CNN, the jersey Maradona wore during their match against England had a final price amounting to £7,142,500 or $9,284,536.

The final price of Maradona's jersey surpassed the previous record for a match-worn jersey, which was Babe Ruth's 1928-1930 New York Yankees Jersey paid in 2019 for $5.64 million, per ESPN.

In addition, the final price of Maradona's "Hand of God" shirt also outstripped a record price for a piece of sports memorabilia, which was the original hand-drawn Olympic manifesto sold at $8.8 million in 2019 at New York.

"This historic shirt is a tangible reminder of an important moment not only in the history of sports but in the history of the 20th century," Sotheby's head of streetwear and modern collectibles, Brahm Wachter, said in a statement.

Reports noted that Sotheby first announced the jersey for auction on April 6.

Engaland's Steve Hodge on Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' Jersey

It can be recalled that Diego Maradona, who died at the age of 60 in his home in Buenos Aires, wore the blue jersey in a quarterfinal against England in 1986 in which he scored both of Argentina's 2-1 wins. The first one was when Maradona palmed the ball past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton.

His second goal was when Maradona picked up the ball in the halfway line and make his way through the England team and strike it over Shilton, giving Argentina a 2-0 lead. The said goal was later named by FIFA the "goal of the century."

England's Steve Hodge swapped shirts with Maradona after the 1986 match. Hodge previously turned down potential bids for the jersey, and it was displayed in the National Football Museum since 2022.

Hodge noted that Maradona's jersey has a deep cultural meaning to the football world, especially for the people of Argentina and England.

"I'm certain that the new owner will have immense pride in owning the world's most iconic football shirt," Hodge pointed out.

Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" Jersey Up for Auction Is Not Correct - Argentina Star's Family

The family of Diego Maradona claimed in a radio interview in Argentina last month that the jersey up for auction is not the correct uniform that was used during the breathtaking goal, per Bleacher Report.

Maradona's daughter, Dalma, son Lalo, and his ex-wife Claudia Villafana, confirmed the information, contending that Diego gave Hodge the one he wore in the first half before the "hand of God" goal.

"That guy [Hodge] thinks he has the shirt. How am I going to give the shirt from the game of my life to someone?" Dalma recalled what his father used to say.

Melica Khansari, Sotheby's director of communications, acknowledged that Maradona has indeed worn a different shirt during the first half of the 1986 game. However, the director of communications claimed that their company did extensive scientific research on the jersey to make sure that it was the shirt worn by the Argentina star in the second half for the two goals.

Sotheby reportedly hired an outside firm, Photomatch, to analyze the shirt. The said company is known to have done such work on game-worn jerseys, such as those from Michael Jordan and Babe Ruth.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

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