The Golden Ball trophy won by Argentinian soccer legend Diego Maradona at the 1986 FIFA World Cup is set to go up for auction in June.
According to Reuters (h/t ESPN), the late soccer star’s Golden Ball will be auctioned off by Aguttes auction house in France on June 6 and is expected to go for “millions” of dollars.
French newspaper L’Equipe (h/t ESPN) reported that Mardona’s Golden Ball was stolen in the past. However, it “resurfaced among several trophy lots in an auction room.”
Maradona, who died at the age of 60 in 2020, is widely considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time along with Pelé, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
His greatest accomplishment came in 1986 when he led Argentina to its second of three World Cup triumphs to date.
Maradona tied for the second-most goals scored in the tournament with five, and he won the Golden Ball, which is given to the World Cup’s most outstanding player.
He notably scored two goals in both Argentina’s 2-1 win over England in the quarterfinals and 2-0 win vs. Belgium in the semifinals.
The quarterfinal win over England is one of the most infamous matches in soccer history, as Maradona clearly knocked the ball into the net with his fist on one of the goals. Despite that, the goal stood, and it was later dubbed the “Hand of God.”
His second goal in that match saw him weave past multiple English defenders before scoring what has since been named the “Goal of the Century.”
Maradona did not score in the World Cup Final, but Argentina defeated West Germany 3-2 on an 83rd-minute goal by Jorge Burruchaga that was assisted by Maradona to win the 1986 World Cup.
Although Maradona’s Golden Ball was stolen, Aguttes was able to confirm its authenticity after it was recovered.
On June 6, Maradona’s award will become the first FIFA World Cup Golden Ball to ever be sold at auction.
