London: The jersey worn by one of the world’s best footballers, Diego Maradona, in England’s quarter-final match at the 1986 World Cup will be sapphire for the first time. For this, auctioneers are expected to bid around 4 million pounds (about $5.2 million or about Rs 40 crore). The match was noted for the controversial ‘Hand of God’ goal.
In this match, Maradona wanted to score with a header but the ball reportedly hit his hand and went into the goal post and the match referee failed to see it. However, in this match, in line with his fame, he scored almost the entire team of England with his superb dribbling and gave the team a memorable victory.
Auctioneer Sotheby’s said on Wednesday that the jersey could fetch more than £4 million in an online auction that begins on April 20. Sotheby’s head of auction for streetwear and modern collectibles, Barham Wachter, said the shirt is “on a short list of the most important sports memorabilia in the world.”
Wachter said, ‘It will probably be the biggest thing for me. Maradona later said that the goal was ‘combined with Maradona’s head and the Hand of God’. His second goal of the match was voted the ‘best goal of the century’ by FIFA in 2002.
Argentina became the champions after winning the match 2–1 by winning the semi-finals and the final. After this match, Maradona swapped jerseys with England midfielder Steve Hodge. He had never sold it until now. It has been on loan for the last 20 years to the National Football Museum of England in Manchester. (agency)