Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ shirt from 1986 World Cup expected to fetch US$5.23 million at auction
- Argentina striker controversially punched the ball into the England net during the quarter-final in Mexico
- Maradona went on to score again, this time one of the best goals ever at a World Cup finals
The shirt worn by Diego Maradona when he scored one of the most infamous goals in footballing history was put up for auction on Wednesday, but its sale was complicated by claims from his family that the wrong shirt is going under the hammer.
Maradona wore the No 10 shirt in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final against England in Mexico. Six minutes into the second half he put Argentina ahead by punching the ball into the net, a goal he later claimed was scored by the “Hand of God”.
Just four minutes later he dribbled from his own half to score a sublime second that regularly tops polls as the greatest goal in World Cup history.
England midfielder Steve Hodge got Maradona’s jersey after the game and announced on Wednesday he was putting it up for auction after 19 years on display at England’s National Football Museum.
London-based auctioneers Sotheby’s expects the shirt to sell for at least £4 million (US$5.23 million).
However, Maradona’s daughter and ex-wife cast doubt on the veracity of the piece by saying Hodge got the shirt Maradona wore in the first half, not the one he was wearing when he hit the net.