Maradona’s Lost World Cup Golden Ball Trophy Set for Auction
The iconic Golden Ball trophy, awarded to the best player in the 1986 World Cup won by the legendary football superstar Diego Maradona, is set to go up for auction in June. According to reports from foreign media, the auction house expects the trophy to fetch millions of dollars.
Maradona, often hailed as the “King of Football”, passed away in November 2020, leaving behind a legacy of incredible achievements in the world of soccer. His triumph in the 1986 World Cup, where he led Argentina to victory, was undoubtedly one of the highlights of his illustrious career.
One of the most memorable moments from that tournament was Maradona’s controversial “Hand of God” goal against England in the quarter-finals. Despite the blatant handball, the goal was allowed to stand, with Maradona famously attributing the score to “a little bit of Maradona’s head and a little bit of God’s hand.”
Following the “Hand of God” goal, Maradona went on to score another spectacular goal in the same match, cementing Argentina’s 2-1 victory over England. His performance in that game, including the “Goal of the Century” as named by FIFA in 2002, solidified his reputation as one of the greatest players in football history.
After overcoming various challenges and leading Argentina to victory in the final against the Federal Republic of Germany, Maradona lifted the World Cup trophy, becoming a national hero in the eyes of his countrymen.
However, the World Cup Golden Ball trophy awarded to Maradona in 1986 was reportedly stolen many years ago. In 2016, it resurfaced when it was acquired by a collector who recently consigned it to an auction company.
The auction company confirmed the authenticity of the trophy and has taken necessary precautions to ensure its legitimacy. With the jersey and game ball from the England match already fetching high prices at previous auctions, the Golden Ball trophy is expected to attract significant interest from football fans and collectors alike.
The trophy holds a special place in the hearts of fans around the world, symbolizing Maradona’s unparalleled talent and the impact he had on the game of football. As the bidding commences in June, all eyes will be on the auction house to see how much this piece of football history will ultimately sell for.