Maradona’s 1986 World Cup ‘Hand Of God’ jersey is set to be auctioned.
The jersey was worn by Diego Maradona when Argentina met England in the 1986 World Cup.
He scored twice in the fixture including the infamous “hand of God” goal.
Sports Illustrated reports that, the historic jersey is to be auctioned off later this month by Auctioneer Sotheby’s which announced same, on Wednesday.
Have you seen today's about Maradona's historic 'The Hand of God' shirt coming to auction? 📰
Learn how we used Resolution Photomatching to match the shirt to both goals – examining unique detail including the patch, stripes & numbering.
Read more: https://t.co/FUelhC2Uxn pic.twitter.com/KHGxMnBhfD
— Sotheby's (@Sothebys) April 6, 2022
Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s head of streetwear and modern collectibles, said the shirt is “on a small list of the most important sports memorabilia items in the world.”
“I’ll never get to handle anything this good again,” Wachter said. “The moment is iconic in the history of sports.”
The blue number 10 shirt has been owned since the end of the controversial World Cup encounter by opposing midfielder Steve Hodge, who swapped his jersey with Maradona after England lost 2-1.
The two goals were scored by Maradona in that fixture. But the second goal which is popularly described as the “hand of God” is what has made the jersey a collectors item.
For the goal, Maradona ran into the box, rose with England’s goalkeeper Peter Shilton and punched the ball into the net.
England were incensed and complained to officials who, believing Maradona had headed the ball, allowed the goal to stand.
Maradona then stirred the controversy afterward by saying the goal had been scored “a little with the head of Maradona, a little with the hand of God.”
Receiving the ball and turning inside his own half, 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.
Following that victory, Argentina went on to win the final, and lifted the World Cup for the second time in eight years and Maradona, already a superstar became worshipped in his home country.
According to Sports Illustrated, Sotheby’s said in a statement to AFP that it will hold its own public display for the jersey in London, during the online auction scheduled for April 20 to May 4.
The decision of whether to keep it accessible to the public will be up to the winning bidder.
Read also: https://www.herald.ng/fifa-bans-intl-games-in-russia-no-flag-or-anthem-allowed/
Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s head of streetwear and modern collectibles, said “the list is long for the type of people or organisations that might want to own the item.”
“It could be an individual, it could be a museum, it could be just somebody who wants to own the best of the best, a football lover or a club.”
Hodge, the previous owner, loaned it to be displayed at England’s National Football Museum in Manchester.
It's been an honour and a privilege to look after *that* Diego Maradona shirt for over 18 years.
Interested to see who snaps it up next. There's always room in our squad for another loan signing… 😉 https://t.co/94ANl1tQMT pic.twitter.com/qv1rtrKGNc
— Nat. Football Museum (@FootballMuseum) April 6, 2022
According to Sotheby’s, bidding for the Maradona memorabilia will start at £4 million ($5.2 million), which is approximately 2,161,744,000.00 Naira.
The shirt Diego Maradona wore during the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal against England — the match in which he scored the 'Hand of God' and the 'Goal of the Century' — is estimated to fetch more than £4 million ($5.25 million) at auction https://t.co/r7TsJGlArN
— CNN International (@cnni) April 6, 2022
Leave a Reply