Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ Jersey Could Set Auction Record

A piece of memorabilia from one of the most iconic moments could break the record for most ever paid for a game-worn jersey.

The shirt worn by Diego Maradona during Argentina’s 2-1 victory over England in the 1986 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals — during which he scored the infamous “Hand of God” goal, followed by “The Goal of the Century” — is expected to fetch more than $5.25 million when auctioned online by Sotheby’s between April 2-May 4.

The record is the $5.64 million paid in 2019 for a Yankees road jersey worn by Babe Ruth during the team’s “Murderers’ Row” period in the late 1920s. The previous record was $4.4 million for a 1920 Ruth jersey sold in 2012.

Maradona’s jersey has never been put up for auction and has been in the possession of former England midfielder Steve Hodge, with whom he exchanged shirts following the match.

It was Hodge who sent the ball toward Maradona, who batted it in with his fist out of sight of the referee. Maradona later scored arguably the greatest individual goal in soccer history. 

Considered by many to be the greatest soccer player of all time, Maradona died in November 2020 at age 60.