Maradona Hand of God Ball Sells for $3.35 Million at Auction

The soccer ball used in the infamous "Hand of God" goal by Diego Maradona during the 1986 FIFA World Cup sold at auction on Monday, August 24, 2026, for $3.35 million, a figure that fell significantly short of its presale estimate. The Adidas Azteca match ball from the quarterfinal between Argentina and England was auctioned by Heritage Auctions in Dallas, Texas.

The sale concluded a years-long journey for the artifact, which was expected to fetch as much as $10 million. The final price, while substantial, came in well below previous records for sports memorabilia. The ball's sale is a notable event but did not surpass the $9.3 million paid for Maradona's jersey from the same match in 2022. It also fell short of the record for the most expensive sports ball, which was set by Shohei Ohtani's 50th home run baseball that sold for $4.39 million in 2024.

The ball's historical significance stems from the two legendary goals Maradona scored during the June 22, 1986, match in Mexico City's Azteca Stadium. In the 51st minute, Maradona scored the opening goal by punching the ball into the net with his left hand, an act that eluded the referee. After the match, Maradona famously attributed...