Maradona's 'Hand of God' World Cup jersey auctioned for US$9.3 million: Sotheby's

NEW YORK: The jersey that Argentina football legend Diego Maradona wore when scoring twice against England in the 1986 World Cup, including the infamous "Hand of God" goal, was auctioned for US$9.3 million, a record for any item of sports memorabilia, Sotheby's said Wednesday (May 4).

Seven bidders vied for the garment in an auction that began on Apr 20 and ended on Wednesday morning, Sotheby's said.

"This historic shirt is a tangible reminder of an important moment not only in the history of sports, but in the history of the 20th century," Sotheby's head of streetwear and modern collectibles Brahm Wachter said in a statement after the sale.

"This is arguably the most coveted football shirt to ever come to auction, and so it is fitting that it now holds the auction record for any object of its kind," he said.

The jersey had been owned since the end of the controversial encounter by opposing midfielder Steve Hodge, who swapped his jersey with Maradona after England lost 2-1 in Mexico City.

Maradona's daughter cast doubt on the sale earlier this month when she claimed that the shirt put up for auction had been the one her father wore in the goalless first half, not the second when he scored his two goals.

Sotheby's insisted they had the right shirt, though.

The previous record for a game-worn shirt from any sport was US$5.6 million, set in 2019 for a jersey Babe Ruth wore while playing for the New York Yankees.