Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ shirt heads to auction for first time, may sell for over $5M

Diego Maradona scored his unforgettable “Hand of God” goal in a World Cup quarterfinal win over England 36 years ago. Now, the shirt he wore while heading — or, as England fans recall, punching — the ball through into the net is finally for sale. 

Sotheby’s announced the shirt will be available for bidding via online auction from April 20-May 4, and the auction house anticipates the one-of-a-kind item could sell for over 4 million pounds — the equivalent of $5.2 million. The shirt will be on display at Sotheby’s London during the bidding period.   

In the aforementioned England game, which took place in Mexico City on June 22, 1986, Maradona scored both of Argentina’s goals in a 2-1 victory before leading his team to a World Cup win. The game had massive political intrigue in addition to its obvious World Cup implications, as the countries battled for control of the Falkland Islands four years prior. 

Maradona’s first goal was immediately mired in controversy. It was ruled a header, but video showed the ball hit his hand before entering the net. Maradona later said the goal was scored with “a little with the head of Maradona, and a little with the hand of God.” 

England midfielder Steve Hodge got Maradona’s shirt in a shirt swapping after the game, and he never sold it. Hodge did, however, loan it to the National Football Museum in Manchester, England, where it had been for the last 20 years. 

With the “Hand of God” shirt going to auction for the first time, Hodge is “certain” it’ll go into, well, the right hands. 

“It was an absolute privilege to have played against one of the greatest and most magnificent football players of all time,” Hodge said in a statement. “It has also been a pleasure to share it with the public over the last 20 years at the National Football Museum, where it has been on display. The Hand of God shirt has deep cultural meaning to the football world, the people of Argentina, and the people of England and I’m certain that the new owner will have immense pride in owning the world’s most iconic football shirt.”

The shirt is known for much more than the “Hand of God” goal, though. Maradona’s second goal against England, which saw him race by the entire defense with 11 touches in 11 seconds, was deemed the “goal of the century” in a 2002 FIFA poll. 

That’s yet another reason why Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s head of streetwear and modern collectibles, said the shirt is “on a small list of the most important sports memorabilia items in the world.”

The “Hand of God” shirt has a chance at becoming the most expensive game-worn shirt of all time. The current record belongs to a New York Yankees road jersey worn by Babe Ruth, which sold for $5.64 million in 2019.