The match ball used during the 1986 FIFA World Cup football match between Argentina and England is pictured before auction, at Wembley Stadium in London on November 1.
Isabel Infantes / AFP via Getty Images
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Isabel Infantes / AFP via Getty Images
The match ball used during the 1986 FIFA World Cup football match between Argentina and England is pictured before auction, at Wembley Stadium in London on November 1.
Isabel Infantes / AFP via Getty Images
What is the value of the soccer ball used in one of the most controversial World Cup moments of all time?
We will soon know, when the ball is punched by Argentine legend Diego Maradona in what is known as the “Hand of God” target will be auctioned off on Wednesday.
A lot is part of one one day special auction World Cup items and memorabilia at Graham Budd Auctions in the UK The Ball can sell for up to $3.6 million.
May, the shirt Maradona wore that day earned $9.3 millionThe highest price ever paid for a sports memorabilia sold at auction.
The ball was used in the quarter-final match between Argentina and England at the 1986 World Cup at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Six minutes into the second half, Maradona leapt into the air towards the ball, accompanied by England goalkeeper Peter Shilton. The ball flies into the netand Maradona celebrate with teammates.
It was clear to the English players – and to those who watched the game replay afterwards – that Maradona punched the ball with his hand. After the game, Maradona will tell reporters that he scored “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.”
The ball was sold on behalf of the match referee, Ali Bin Nasser of Tunisia, who was also part of the controversy.
“All of us on the bench – players, coaches, managers – saw it as clear as day. We all knew he let the ball touch his hand, so we couldn’t believe the referee. didn’t see.” former England international John Barnes told Goal in July.
Bin Nasser has asserted that the line referee, Bogdan Dochev of Bulgaria, has better vision and never signals with his hands to play the ball.
Four minutes after that infamous goal, Maradona scored one of the greatest goals in World Cup history, known as “goal of the century.” The match will end 2-1, after England’s Gary Lineker scored in the 81st minute.
Argentina went on to win the World Cup, beating West Germany in the final 3-2.
Maradona passed away at the age of 60 heart failure and pulmonary edema by 2020.
