CNN
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Six months after his ‘Hand of God’ shirt broke auction records, another memorabilia tied to Diego Maradona’s most famous match is set to sell for millions.
The ball used in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final between Argentina and England went up for auction in London on November 16 and was valued between $2.7 and $3.3 million.
With that ball, Maradona scored two iconic goals – the first when he controversially used his hand and kicked the ball into the net, and the second when he dribbled past several England players and rounded keeper Peter Shilton.
Argentina would win the match – and the tournament a week later.
In May, the shirt worn by Maradona against England sold for $9.3 at an online auction – at the time the highest paid for a sports memorabilia item.
But in a banner year for the sports memorabilia market, that figure was eclipsed three months later when a Mickey Mantle baseball card fetched $12.6 million, while the 1998 NBA Finals jersey by Michael Jordan sold for $10.1 million in September.
The ball for the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals currently belongs to Ali Bin Nasser, the Tunisian referee who oversaw the game and allowed Maradona’s controversial first goal to stand.
“This ball is part of international football history – now is the right time to share it with the world,” said Bin Nasser.
Asked about his first goal against England later, Maradona, who died two years ago, said it was marked “a bit with Maradona’s head and a bit with the hand of God”.
London-based firm Graham Budd Auctions is overseeing the sale of the ball as part of its special World Cup auction next month.
“2022 has been an incredible year in the sports memorabilia market with records broken three times,” said Graham Budd, president of the auction house.
“It’s an exciting time in the market and we wonder if this famous football will also break records.”
