Diego Maradona’s iconic Golden Ball trophy, awarded to him as the best player in the 1986 World Cup, is set to go under the hammer at an auction in Paris.
Diego Maradona’s iconic Golden Ball trophy to be auctioned in Paris report confirms.
The Aguttes auction house has confirmed that this historic piece of football memorabilia will be auctioned in June, marking the first time a Golden Ball trophy is up for auction.
While the exact value of the trophy has not been disclosed, the auction house anticipates it will fetch millions when it goes up for bidding on June 6.
Maradona, who tragically passed away in 2020, earned the Golden Ball award after leading Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup held in Mexico. His exceptional performance included scoring five goals during the tournament and playing every minute as the captain of his nation.
One of the most memorable moments of the 1986 World Cup was Maradona’s legendary goals against England in the quarter-finals. The first goal, famously known as the “Hand of God,” saw Maradona outmaneuvering England’s goalkeeper Peter Shilton with a raised fist. The second goal, often hailed as the “Goal of the Century,” showcased Maradona’s exceptional dribbling skills as he navigated past five English outfield players from his own half.
Maradona’s journey in the 1986 World Cup continued with pivotal performances, including scoring two goals against Belgium in the semi-final and leading Argentina to a thrilling 3-2 victory over West Germany in the final.
The Golden Ball award, introduced in the 1982 World Cup, has been won by football legends such as Italy’s Paolo Rossi, Brazil’s Romario and Ronaldo, France’s Zinedine Zidane, and Argentina’s Lionel Messi, the only player to have won it twice.
The journey of Maradona’s Golden Ball trophy has been eventful, having disappeared at one point before resurfacing among several trophy lots in an auction room. Aguttes, entrusted with the trophy, conducted an investigation into its provenance and successfully authenticated it as Maradona’s Adidas Golden Ball trophy, adding to its historical significance for football enthusiasts and collectors worldwide.
