An public sale of the jersey worn by Diego Maradona when he scored twice towards England within the 1986 World Cup, together with the notorious “hand of God” goal, kicked off Wednesday April 20, with a bid of over $5 million.
The soccer icon, who died in 2020, swapped shirts with England midfielder Steve Hodge after full time and he has been in possession of the treasured merchandise for the last 35 years.
Hodge has now put the shirt up on the market at Sotheby’s and the net public sale has already began.
The reserve of $5million has already been met by one purchaser however there are two weeks remaining for bidders to stake their declare because the public sale ends on May 4.
Maradona’s standing as a famous person was cemented in that quarter-final in 1986.
Argentina received the game 2-1, with their diminutive talisman deceiving the referee through the use of his hand to attain what appeared to the office to be a header. Hodge was involved within the incident, passing the ball back to the goalkeeper before Maradona used his cunning to leap and attain the ball along with his hand.
Afterwards the participant famously stated it was scored ‘a little bit with the head of Maradona, and a little bit with the hand of God’.
His different strike within the recreation was voted ‘Goal of the Century’ in a FIFA ballot and noticed him dribble round nearly all the England team before slotting the ball past Peter Shilton.
It was essentially the most well-known recreation within the profession of a footballing genius, who was 25 on the time and went on to assist his facet win the event in Mexico.
Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s Head of Streetwear and Modern Collectables, stated the 2 goals ‘stability each other brilliantly’ and reveal two aspects of Maradona’s character.
The primary ‘was actually crafty and did contain a component of luck,’ he stated. ‘However then he scored a second goal, which was one of the unbelievable – nearly angelic – targets ever.’
Hodge was the fortunate proprietor for greater than three many years and beforehand defined how he snagged it.
He stated: ‘I used to be strolling down the tunnel and Maradona was coming in the other way. I simply tugged my shirt and we swapped there after which.’
Hodge has now revealed why he’s promoting the enduring shirt, explaining: ‘I’ve been the proud proprietor of this merchandise for over 35 years, since Diego and I swapped shirts within the tunnel after the famed match.
‘It was an absolute privilege to have performed towards one of many best and most luxurious soccer players of all time.
‘It has additionally been a pleasure to share it with the general public during the last 20 years on the National Football Museum, the place it has been on show.
‘The Hand of God shirt has deep cultural which means to the soccer world, the individuals of Argentina, and the individuals of England and I am sure that the brand new proprietor could have immense pleasure in proudly owning the world’s most iconic soccer shirt.’
The shirt can be on show in Sothebys’ London showroom on Bond Road throughout the April 20-Could 4 bidding interval.
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