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Maradona's '86 World Cup semi shirt up for £900K+ auction

Maradona's '86 World Cup semi shirt up for £900K+ auction
Published 3 months ago on Jul 22, 2024

Legendary Maradona Shirt from 1986 World Cup Semi-Final Heads to Auction.

Legendary Maradona Shirt from 1986 World Cup Semi-Final Heads to Auction

Football fans and memorabilia collectors alike are abuzz with the news that a highly significant shirt worn by the late Diego Maradona is set to go up for auction. Sotheby's, the renowned auction house, will be offering the iconic jersey Maradona donned during Argentina's 1986 World Cup semi-final clash against Belgium.

A Shirt Steeped in History

This match, played at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico, saw Maradona score a brace to propel Argentina to a 2-0 victory over Belgium. The shirt itself holds immense historical value, not only for the legendary performance it witnessed but also for the post-match exchange that took place. Following the final whistle, Maradona, a true sportsman, swapped his jersey with the gloves of Belgium's goalkeeper, Jean-Marie Pfaff. Maradona even personalized the shirt with a heartfelt inscription: "For the great Jean-Marie, with all my love."

From Player to Public Display

Pfaff, the esteemed Belgian goalkeeper, has cherished the shirt for nearly four decades. He recently showcased it at his pop-up museum, aptly named the "Museum of El Sympatico" in Beveren, Belgium. The museum serves as a treasure trove for football enthusiasts, housing a collection of trophies and match-worn jerseys. While Pfaff has enjoyed sharing this piece of history with visitors, he has now decided to part with it through auction.

A High-Value Addition to the Market

This move comes just over a year after another of Maradona's iconic jerseys, the one he wore during the infamous "Hand of God" goal against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final, fetched a record-breaking £7.2 million ($9.3 million) at Sotheby's. This cemented its position as the most valuable football shirt ever sold. Experts predict that the upcoming auction for the 1986 semi-final shirt will generate significant interest, with estimates placing its value between £620,000 ($800,000) and £926,000 ($1.2 million).

A Celebration of a Footballing Legend

Brahm Watcher, Head of Streetwear and Modern Collectables at Sotheby's, commented on the significance of the auction: "Maradona is rightly remembered as one of the greatest footballers of all time, and Sotheby's is honored to be part of this iconic match-worn World Cup shirts history. Maradona's second World Cup shirt coming to auction at Sotheby's further demonstrates that we are the premier destination for sports memorabilia, which has grown enormously as a market in recent years."

Maradona's Legacy Lives On

Beyond his exceptional talent on the pitch, Diego Maradona left an indelible mark on the world of football. His dazzling skills, mesmerising dribbling, and fierce leadership on the field were matched by his charisma and outspoken nature off-field, where he championed social and political causes. The upcoming auction of his 1986 World Cup semi-final shirt presents a unique opportunity for a collector to acquire a piece of footballing history and a powerful symbol of a legendary player.

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