The match ball from Argentina's 1986 World Cup quarter-final victory over England is set for auction. The ball, made famous by Diego Maradona's controversial "Hand of God" goal, has an opening bid of $2.5 million, according to Heritage Auctions.
The auction house describes the item as the "holy grail" for collectors. It could approach the $9.2 million paid in 2022 for Maradona's match-worn shirt from the same game.
"It's a true one-of-one item," said Mike Provenzale, a specialist at Heritage Auctions. "Arguably the most significant soccer item that exists."
The sale arrives as the market for soccer memorabilia experiences a significant boom. This surge is partly fueled by the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The U.S. is the primary driver of the global sports collectables market.
Traditionally dominated by American sports, the collectables space has seen soccer's rise over the past several years. Values are particularly high for modern items featuring global stars like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kylian Mbappe.
Major tournaments act as a catalyst, with player performances causing valuations to rise in real time. Collectors are now focused on identifying the next breakout stars at events like the World Cup.