A rare piece of football history is set to cross the auction block this summer, as Heritage Auctions prepares to sell the Adidas Azteca ball that Diego Maradona wielded during the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal against England.
A Ball That Transcends Its Material
The sphere, emblazoned with the iconic three‑stripe design, was the instrument of two moments that still define the sport: the controversial 'Hand of God' goal in the 51st minute and the breathtaking 'Goal of the Century' four minutes later, a solo run that saw Maradona evade five English defenders.
The ball's provenance is bolstered by a signed letter from the match referee, Ali Ben Nasser, who confirmed that the same unit was used for both strikes, adding a layer of authenticity that has attracted serious interest from collectors worldwide.
Market dynamics suggest the ball could eclipse the $10 million threshold, a figure that dwarfs the $9.3 million fetched by Maradona's jersey from the same encounter in 2022, underscoring the growing appetite for tangible relics of sporting legend.
Beyond the monetary stakes, the auction revives conversations about the cultural weight of the 1986 tournament, a chapter that still resonates across Argentina, England, and the broader football community, and that continues to inspire new generations of players and fans.