Maradona's

Diego Maradona Hand of God Heritage Auctions 1986 World Cup soccer memorabilia

The soccer ball used by Diego Maradona to score his famous "Hand of God" goal during the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal between Argentina and England is heading to auction in the United States. The auction, hosted by Texas-based Heritage Auctions, is scheduled to take place from August 21 to 23.

Experts estimate the ball could fetch up to $10 million, with an opening bid set at $2.5 million. Dan Imler, vice president of sports at Heritage Auctions, described it as "easily the most historic ball in the realm of soccer," noting that the same ball was also used for Maradona's "Goal of the Century" in the same match.

The authenticity of the ball has been verified, with reports citing a 2023 letter from Tunisian referee Ali Bennaceur, who had kept the match ball for over 30 years. This upcoming sale follows a record-breaking $9.3 million sale of the jersey Maradona wore during that specific match in 2022.

Entities

Ali Ben Naceur · Ali Bennaceur · Argentina national football team · Argentina national team · Dan Imler · Diego Maradona · England national football team · England national team · Heritage Auctions · Peter Shilton

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 7 SOURCES] The soccer ball used by Diego Maradona to score the 'Hand of God' goal in the 1986 World Cup quarter‑final will be auctioned by Heritage Auctions in Texas from August 21 to 23, 2026. newscentraltv.com · www.24sata.hr · www.naijanews.com · www.jutarnji.hr · www.jamaicaobserver.com · +2 more
[DISPUTED] The auction expects the ball to sell for up to $10 million. newscentraltv.com · www.24sata.hr · www.naijanews.com · www.jutarnji.hr · www.jamaicaobserver.com · +2 more
[● 7 SOURCES] The 'Hand of God' goal involved Maradona punching the ball past goalkeeper Peter Shilton. newscentraltv.com · www.24sata.hr · www.naijanews.com · www.jutarnji.hr · www.jamaicaobserver.com · +2 more
[● 6 SOURCES] Authenticity of the ball was confirmed by a 2023 letter from match referee Ali Ben Naceur. newscentraltv.com · www.24sata.hr · www.naijanews.com · www.jutarnji.hr · www.jamaicaobserver.com · +1 more
[● 6 SOURCES] Heritage Auctions is conducting the sale. newscentraltv.com · www.24sata.hr · www.naijanews.com · www.jutarnji.hr · www.jamaicaobserver.com · +1 more
[● 6 SOURCES] The opening bid for the ball is set at $2.5 million. newscentraltv.com · www.24sata.hr · www.naijanews.com · www.jutarnji.hr · www.jamaicaobserver.com · +1 more
[● 6 SOURCES] Argentina defeated England 2‑1 in the 1986 World Cup quarter‑final. newscentraltv.com · www.24sata.hr · www.naijanews.com · www.jutarnji.hr · www.jamaicaobserver.com · +1 more
[● 6 SOURCES] Maradona’s jersey from the same match sold for $9.3 million in 2022, a record for sports memorabilia. newscentraltv.com · www.24sata.hr · www.naijanews.com · www.jutarnji.hr · www.jamaicaobserver.com · +1 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Maradona’s jersey from the same match sold for US$9.3 million in 2022, a record for sports memorabilia. www.paraskhnio.gr · www.real.gr · sport-fm.com.cy
[DISPUTED] Organisers expect the final price to exceed US$10 million. www.paraskhnio.gr · www.real.gr · sport-fm.com.cy
[● 3 SOURCES] Heritage Auctions will conduct the auction from August 21 to August 23. www.paraskhnio.gr · www.real.gr · sport-fm.com.cy
[● 3 SOURCES] The ball was previously offered at auction in 2022 and 2023, each time receiving bids of about US$2 million. www.paraskhnio.gr · www.real.gr · sport-fm.com.cy