Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ ball fetches $3.3 million in auction

The "Hand of God" goal, scored by Diego Maradona against England during the 1986 World Cup, has been sold for $3.3 million at a US auction. This iconic moment from football history saw Maradona use his hand to punch the ball past Peter Shilton's goal, a controversial strike that has been memorably described by the legendary player himself as "a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God."

The ball, known as the Adidas Azteca ball, was the only one used in that match and was held by Ali Bin Nasser, the referee who officiated the game, until 2022. It fetched $2.37 million in that sale. Despite the high price tag, the ball ultimately did not reach the estimated $10 million mark during its latest auction, with the bidding process falling short of the Heritage Auctions' initial estimate.