Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ ball heads to US auction

The soccer ball that Diego Maradona used to score his infamous “Hand of God” goal during Argentina’s win over England in the 1986 World Cup is expected to sell for $10 million at a US auction this month.

Maradona’s goal in the quarter-final match at the Estadio Azteca saw him punch the ball past the England goalkeeper, with the South Americans ultimately winning 2-1.

After the game, the Argentine star said his goal was scored “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.” His nation went on to win the World Cup.

During England’s quarter-final clash with Argentina, keeper Peter Shilton came out to claim the ball in mid-air, but Argentina forward Diego Maradona outleapt him and nudged the ball into the net with his hand held above his head.

The referee failed to spot the offence and the goal stood. After the game, which Argentina won 2-1, Maradona said the goal was scored ‘a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God’.

“I think it’s easily the most historic ball in the realm of soccer,” Dan Imler, vice president of sports at Heritage Auctions, told AFP.

During England’s quarter-final clash with Argentina, keeper Peter Shilton came out to claim the ball in mid-air, but Argentina forward Diego Maradona outleapt him and nudged the ball into the net with his hand held above his head. The referee failed to spot the offence and the goal stood.

After the game, which Argentina won 2-1, Maradona said the goal was scored ‘a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God’.

He noted it is also the ball that Maradona used, in the same match, to score the so-called “Goal of the Century” in which he dribbled past several English defenders before finishing past the goalkeeper.

“Both of the goals scored are just so iconic, so memorable,” Imler said.