By Ohuakanwa Chibuzo
Diego Maradona’s legacy continues to captivate the football world as his iconic Golden Ball trophy, earned for his stellar performance in the 1986 World Cup, is slated for auction in France this June, announced the Aguttes auction house.
This historic event marks the first time a Golden Ball trophy is being put up for auction, with its anticipated value expected to reach millions when the gavel falls on June 6th.
Diego Maradona, who passed away in 2020, clinched the prestigious award after leading Argentina to victory in the World Cup held in Mexico. His remarkable feat included five goals throughout the tournament, where he not only captained his nation but also played every minute of the exhilarating matches.
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The tournament’s defining moment came during Argentina’s quarter-final clash against England, where Diego Maradona etched his name into football folklore. His infamous “Hand of God” goal, a contentious header past England’s Peter Shilton, was followed by a mesmerizing solo effort that saw him weave past five English defenders, earning him the title of “Goal of the Century”.
While Maradona’s jersey from that historic match and the match ball have previously been auctioned, the Golden Ball adds another chapter to his illustrious career.
Following his heroics against England, Maradona’s brilliance continued as he netted two crucial goals in the semi-final against Belgium and led Argentina to a thrilling 3-2 victory over West Germany in the final.
The Golden Ball award, introduced at the 1982 World Cup, boasts a prestigious list of winners including Paolo Rossi of Italy, Brazil’s Romario and Ronaldo, France’s Zinedine Zidane, and Argentina’s Lionel Messi, the only player to have won it twice.
Maradona’s trophy had mysteriously vanished before resurfacing among various trophy lots at an auction. Aguttes, entrusted with its sale, conducted a thorough investigation into its authenticity, confirming it as Maradona’s Adidas Golden Ball trophy, adding to the allure of this historic auction event.