Maradona's 'Hand of God' match ball up for auction

The match ball used during Diego Maradona's iconic "Hand of God" goal against England at the 1986 FIFA World Cup is set to go under the hammer, with a starting bid of $2.5 million (approximately Tk 310 million).

The historic ball was used in Argentina's quarter-final victory over England in Mexico, where Maradona scored one of football's most controversial—and unforgettable—goals, cementing its place in World Cup history.

Auction house 'Heritage Auctions' has described the ball as the "Holy Grail" for football memorabilia collectors, predicting it could attract extraordinary interest from bidders worldwide.

The auction follows the record-breaking sale of Maradona's jersey from the same match, which fetched $9.2 million (around Tk 1.13 billion) in 2022, becoming one of the most expensive pieces of sports memorabilia ever sold.

Despite expectations of another landmark sale, Heritage Auctions sports specialist Mike Provenzale declined to estimate the ball's final price.

"There is nothing comparable to this. It is truly one of a kind and among the most significant artifacts in football history," Provenzale said.

The auction is expected to draw collectors and football enthusiasts from around the world eager to own one of the sport's most iconic and historic relics.