A passion for collecting sports memorabilia can be found all over the world. The main reason is straightforward. Sports players are not only celebrities but also heroes in this world. Every sports enthusiast around the world admires their abilities, marvels at their skills, and aspires to be like them. It’s not surprising that fans are willing to spend a lot of hard-earned cash on items related to these superstars. If you are an online gaming fan, you can collect Leovegas welcome bonus for getting additional advantages.
The recent football jersey auction has experienced a piece of surprising news- Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand Of God’ jersey from the 1986 World Cup is poised to reach a record price at auction! Interesting, right? Let’s dig into the full news.
Maradona’s 1986 World Cup ‘hand of god’ jersey to be auctioned
Argentinian legend Diego Maradona made footballing history with his infamous “hand of God” goal. His shirt from the 1986 World Cup that he wore when he scored that goal is estimated to sell for at least £4 million now.
Since 1977, the number 10 shirt has been owned by former England midfielder Steve Hodge. After Argentina’s quarter-final against England, the players swapped shirts. The Argentines went on to win 2-1 thanks to Maradona’s “hand of God” goal and a second, more widely acclaimed solo effort, later named goal of the century. In 1986, Argentina won the World Cup in Mexico.
There was a great deal of controversy surrounding the “hand of God” goal. Peter Shilton, England’s goalkeeper, was headed towards Hodge’s kick. Maradona and Shilton leapt to reach the ball, which landed in the goal after touching Maradona’s left hand. Although handballs are prohibited in football, it was not clear to the referee what Maradona was doing with the ball. As a result, the goal was allowed and confirmed by the linesman.
In an interview after the game, the Argentina player said the goal was made with a little help from Maradona and a little from God, a phrase that became part of history in football. A few months later, Maradona, who died in November 2020, admitted he had scored the goal with his hand, but later claimed to have been misquoted.
The second goal was scored after Maradona dribbled past and danced around the England players. The goal was voted the goal of the century by 340,000 fans in 150 countries in 2002.
As Hodge noted, Maradona’s shirt had a “deep cultural significance to the football world, to the people of Argentina, and to the people of England”. In his words: “I had the privilege to play against one of the greatest football players of all time.”
Sotheby’s, which is auctioning the shirt, says Brahm Wachter: “The ‘hand of God’ is a unique moment both in the history of sports and the history of the 20th century.” “The moment resonated beyond football, coming shortly after the Falkland Islands conflict, and has, in turn, inspired books, films, and documentaries. “Maradona has been remembered as one of the best football players of all time – and this particular game was a key part of his legacy.”
A bidding period for the shirt will begin on 20 April and continue until 4 May. On display at Sotheby’s New Bond Street gallery, the shirt will be on view to the public.
