Diego Maradona’s Golden Ball trophy from the 1986 World Cup has resurfaced and will be auctioned in Paris next month by the Aguttes house. Maradona, who passed away in 2020, was awarded the trophy for his exceptional performance during the tournament, including leading Argentina to victory in the final against West Germany. He famously scored the controversial “Hand of God” goal and the “Goal of the Century” against England in the quarterfinals.
The auction house believes that the trophy, which went missing for decades, will fetch millions due to its uniqueness and historical significance. Maradona received the award at a ceremony in 1986 at the Lido cabaret on the Champs-Élysées. Various rumors arose about the trophy’s disappearance, including claims that it was lost during a poker game, sold to pay off debts, or stolen from a bank in Naples where Maradona had kept it.
In 2016, the trophy resurfaced among other lots acquired from a private collection at an auction in Paris. It was thoroughly investigated and authenticated as Maradona’s Adidas Golden Ball trophy by Aguttes. The “Hand of God” goal, where Maradona punched the ball into England’s net, and the “Goal of the Century,” where he dribbled past multiple English players before scoring, are iconic moments from the 1986 World Cup that showcased Maradona’s extraordinary skills.
According to François Thierry, a sports expert at Aguttes, the 1986 World Cup was a tournament where Maradona truly displayed his prowess with the ball, captivating audiences worldwide. Bidders interested in owning this piece of football history will need to make a deposit of 150,000 euros ($161,000) to participate in the June 6 auction. Despite the trophy’s mysterious disappearance and the various theories surrounding it, its reappearance presents a rare opportunity for collectors and fans to own a piece of Maradona’s legendary legacy.
