The football used by Diego Maradona to score the "Hand of God" and "Goal of the Century" is up for auction. (Heritage Auctions via SWNS)
By Charlie Fenton
The soccer ball Diego Maradona used to score the "Hand of God" and "goal of the century" strikes in the 1986 World Cup is expected to fetch over $2 million at auction.
The historic goals were scored by the Argentine talisman in the quarterfinal fixture against England at the Estadio Azteca, Mexico City.
The controversial "Hand of God" goal saw Maradona punch the ball using his left hand over Three Lions goalkeeper Peter Shilton before it bounced into the back of the net, making the score 1-0.
His second was dribbled past five players before he slid the ball into an open net — later widely dubbed the goal of the century.
El Gráfico
The game ended 2-1, with Gary Lineker scoring a late header.
Now, the black-and-white Adidas ball is coming to auction and is expected to sell for millions.
It will be listed by American-based auction company Heritage Auctions, who have revealed bidding will open at £1.89 million ($2.5 million).
But a spokesperson said it is "expected to sell for well into seven or maybe even eight figures."
The auction house says the ball has been photo-matched by two independent verification services to both goals, proving its authenticity.
(Heritage Auctions via SWNS)
The game referee Ali Ben Nasser, who awarded the most debated goal in soccer history, kept the ball in Tunisia for more than three decades.
The ball was previously put up for auction for the first time in 2022.
Signatures from the match referees can also be seen on the ball.
Maradona died aged 60 on November 25, 2020.
In 2022, the shirt Diego Maradona wore during the game sold for a record.
The legendary lot forms part of the Summer Platinum Night Sports Auction, which will be taking place in Dallas, Texas, USA, on August 22 to 23.
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