According to L'Equipe, the soccer ball Diego Maradona used to score a goal with his hand during the 1986 World Cup match between Argentina and England sold for $3.355 million (approximately €2.8 million) in the United States on Saturday night. In the same auction, the bathrobe worn by legendary boxer Muhammad Ali in his 1975 victory over Joe Frazier sold for $549,000 (approximately €470,000).
The match ball, used in Argentina's 2-1 victory over England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final, with Diego Maradona scoring twice, the first goal being scored with his hand, was auctioned off on Saturday night by the American auction house Heritage Auction for $3.355 million (approximately €2.8 million), including fees. The online auction started at $2.5 million (approximately €2.1 million), while Heritage Auction experts had previously estimated its value at $10 million (over €8.5 million). The match took place on June 22, 1986, at the Aztec Stadium. Tunisian referee Ali Ben Nasser kept the ball after the match. 36 years later, in November 2022, he sold the ball at the Graham-Bard Auction in London for £2 million (approximately €2.3 million). The new owner then re-auctioned the ball.
In the same auction on Saturday night, the bathrobe worn by legendary American boxer Muhammad Ali when he defeated Joe Frazier in the World Boxing Championship in October 1975 sold for $549,000 (approximately €470,000).
In the United States, sports memorabilia auctions are very popular, but such items must have a clear and undisputed provenance, which this football and this bathrobe both meet.
