The long-lost Golden Ball awarded to Diego Maradona for his exceptional performance in the 1986 World Cup has been rediscovered and will be put up for auction by Aguttes, a renowned auction house in Paris, next month. Maradona, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 60, captained Argentina to a 3-2 victory over West Germany in the final, held in Mexico City. His remarkable performance in that World Cup included two unforgettable goals in the quarterfinals against England—the controversial “Hand of God” goal and the “Goal of the Century.”
How was Maradona’s Golden Ball lost?
Maradona received the Golden Ball at a ceremony on the Champs-Élysées in 1986, but the trophy vanished soon after, giving rise to various theories about its disappearance. Some speculated that Maradona lost it in a poker game, while others suggested that he sold it to pay off debts. Another rumor claimed that it was stored in a Naples bank safe, which was later robbed by local gangsters in 1989 when Maradona was playing in Italy’s Serie A.
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Maradona’s Golden Ball to be auctioned at Paris
Aguttes, however, refuted the rumor that the trophy was melted down into gold pieces, noting that it was made of a gold-copper alloy. The auction house confirmed that the trophy is the original Adidas Golden Ball awarded to Maradona. It resurfaced in 2016 as part of a private collection that was later auctioned in Paris. Aguttes has meticulously verified and authenticated the trophy to ensure its authenticity.
François Thierry, a sports expert at Aguttes, highlighted the significance of the 1986 World Cup, stating that it showcased Maradona’s incredible talent, not just with his feet but also with his hands—referring to the “Hand of God” goal. To participate in the auction on June 6, bidders are required to place a deposit of 150,000 euros ($161,000). Given the historical importance and rarity of the trophy, the auction is expected to attract substantial interest from collectors and football enthusiasts around the globe.
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