Diego Maradona 1986 World Cup Shirt Heading For World Record Price at Auction
The late Diego Maradona, one of the most gifted footballers in the history of the beautiful game, dazzled fans all around the world with his intricate skills and breathtaking play.
Maradona was also a flawed individual and wore his emotions on his sleeve for all to see. He often cut a decisive figure and his life on and off the pitch was definitely a rollercoaster.
Ultimately, he left an incredible legacy and his memory lives on and soon, one lucky (and wealthy) supporter will be able to own a piece of Maradona's storied history.
From 20 April 2022 (09:00 BST), Online Bidding will open for punters to bid for the famous 1986 World Cup "The Hand of God" shirt.
The shirt gained infamous fame on a searing hot June day in 1986 in Mexico. England and Argentina faced off in an eagerly anticipated quarter-final game.
Tensions were high due to the recent history of the two nations becoming intertwined.
It was in this shirt, playing against England in Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, that Maradona scored probably the greatest goal in world cup history.
Maradona weaved through England's flailing defenders with the ball seemingly glued to his feet.
A little later in the game, in this shirt, Maradona scored the most controversial goal, from a socio-political sense, in world cup history. Maradona leaped with goalkeeper, Peter Shilton, and it was the 'Hand of God' which saw the ball go beyond the reach of Shilton and into the net.
The shirt was swapped with England defender, Steve Hodge, and since 2002, has been on display at the National Football Museum in Manchester for the wider general public.
Football shirts and fashion have become very popular in the last few years and retro shirts from the 80s and 90s are becoming valuable commodities.
The most historical football shirts are now auctioned off for vast amounts of money. At the moment, one of the most valued is the No. 10 shirt worn by Pele in the 1970 World Cup final. It was sold at auction at Christie's, London, UK on 27 March 2002 for £157,750 ($225,109)
A pamphlet from 1857, which was the oldest football rule book, was sold by Sheffield FC as a fundraiser in 2011 by Sotheby's London auction house for £881,250 in 2011
Another famous football shirt that was sold for a large amount was English football star, Geoff Hurst, England's 1966 hero.
The shirt was auctioned off to a private bidder for £91,750 in 2000 and then sold again for £2.3 million in 2012.
This simple yet beautiful design probably, as kit designs have vastly improved, weighed heavily on Maradona on that fateful day on the 22nd of June 1986 yet its historical significance cannot be denied.
For more on famous football shirts - visit: soccer-legends.com
For more on the auction - visit: sothebys.com
Soccerphile.com