Maradona's 'Hand of God’ match ball has been sold for $3.3m at auction

Nii Ayitey Brown 15:18 - 24 August 2026

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Image of the 'Hand of God' moment

The football used for Diego Maradona’s famous ‘Hand of God’ and ‘Goal of the Century’ goals against England at the 1986 World Cup has sold for $3.3 million.

The ball used for Diego Maradona’s two famous goals against England at the 1986 World Cup has sold for $3.35 million.
Maradona scored the controversial ‘Hand of God’ goal before producing his famous solo effort in Argentina’s 2-1 quarter-final win.
Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser kept the ball for more than 35 years before it was sold at auction in 2022.

The football used by Diego Maradona for his two famous goals against England at the 1986 FIFA World Cup has sold for $3.3 million at auction.

The football used during the England-Argentina clash in 1986 was previously sold in 2022. Pic: PA

The Adidas Azteca ball was used during Argentina’s 2-1 quarter-final victory over England at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on June 22, 1986.

Maradona opened the scoring with the controversial goal that became known as the “Hand of God”, where he punched the ball past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton but the goal was allowed to stand despite England’s protests.

Four minutes later, Maradona scored again after a remarkable solo run and the goal was later voted the “Goal of the Century” in a FIFA poll.

The ball was kept by Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser, who officiated the match. He later sold it for $2.37 million at a London auction in 2022. The item has now changed hands again, with Heritage Auctions in the United States putting its latest value at $3.3 million.

Heritage said the ball had been independently authenticated as the Adidas Azteca used during the second half of the match, when Maradona scored both goals.

Argentina went on to win the 1986 World Cup, beating West Germany 3-2 in the final, with Maradona playing a central role in the tournament.

Maradona died in November 2020 at the age of 60, but the events of that famous quarter-final remain among the most remembered moments in World Cup history.

FIFA