The trophy that went to Argentina’s Diego Maradona for being named the best player of the 1986 World Cup will be sold to the highest bidder next month. The award, which was once reported stolen, will be sold by Aguttes Auction House in France on June 6.
Maradona’s stardom reached the stratosphere in the soccer tournament 38 years ago in Mexico, where he led Argentina to the title. His two quarterfinal goals, called “the Hand of God” for his punching the ball in the net and “the Goal of the Century” against England, are among the most famous scores in World Cup history. He died in 2020 and is called one of the greatest players of all time.
The World Cup champion’s jersey from the England match sold for about $7 million, the auction house said. It expects the Golden Ball to fetch a similar sum.
“At that 1986 World Cup, Diego shone like never before or since in his career; it was his monument,” Jorge Burruchaga, Maradona’s teammate on the Argentine squad, said in a news release.
FIFA officials have awarded the Golden Ball to the best player at each World Cup since 1982. Maradona’s is the first one up for auction.
“Used far too often wrongly, the word ‘legend’ fits Diego Maradona perfectly,” Francois Thierry, a sports expert with Aguttes, said in a news release. “He is to football what Muhammad Ali is to boxing or Michael Jordan to basketball, an icon who goes far beyond the boundaries of his sport.”
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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