Former footballer whose "Hand of God" goal ball from Argentina's 1986 World Cup quarter-final sold for £2.5m in 2026.
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The Ghanaian Times
… It was England’s first visit to the famous stadium since they lost to Argentina in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals after Diego Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal and mazy dribble through a hapless defence sank Bobby Robson’s side. …
England face Norway in quarters, after Mexico victoryJoy Online
… On Monday, 40 years to the day since Diego Maradona scored twice in a 2-1 quarter-final win over England, Messi was again rewriting football’s record books with both goals in a 2-0 victory against Austria. …
From retirement to records – another immortal Messi momentThe Ghanaian Times
… Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” jersey sold for $9.3 million in 2022, a record for sports-worn memorabilia that was broken several months later by Michael Jordan’s “Last Dance” Bulls jersey, which went for $10.1 million. …
Pele’s World Cup jersey to be auctionedThe Adidas Azteca ball used by Diego Maradona in Argentina's 2-1 quarter-final victory over England at the 1986 World Cup has sold for £2.5 million (US$3.3m) at Heritage Auctions in the United States. Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser, who collected the ball after the match, confirmed its authenticity before the sale, which fell short of the expected £7.3 million in bids.
25 August 2026 · Daily Guide →
The Adidas Azteca ball used by Diego Maradona in Argentina's 2-1 quarter-final victory over England at the 1986 World Cup has sold for £2.5 million (US$3.3m) at Heritage Auctions in the United States. Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser, who collected the ball after the match, confirmed its authenticity before the sale, which fell short of the expected £7.3 million in bids.
25 August 2026 · Daily Guide →
The football used for Diego Maradona's famous 'Hand of God' goal in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final between Argentina and England sold at Heritage Auctions in the United States for £2.5m, below the expected £7.3m estimate. The Adidas Azteca ball was authenticated by the match referee Ali Bin Nasser, who kept it for over three decades before selling it.
25 August 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
The ball Diego Maradona punched past goalkeeper Peter Shilton during Argentina's 1986 World Cup quarter-final win over England sold at Heritage Auctions in the United States for £2.5m (US$3.3m), below the expected £7.3m valuation. The ball, which Maradona himself famously described as scored "a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God," was authenticated by the match referee Tunisian Ali Bin Nasser, who kept it for over three decades.
24 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Lionel Messi, thirty-nine, played his final World Cup as Argentina lost the 2026 final one-nil to Spain. Despite the loss, Messi's World Cup legacy remains marked by moments of brilliance across a decades-long tournament presence.
27 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Lionel Messi set up two goals in the dying minutes of Argentina's World Cup semifinal against England, securing a 2-1 victory and a spot in the final against Spain. Messi said the fans wanted this victory more than any other because of what it means to face England in a semifinal and reach another World Cup final.
17 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Lionel Messi set up two goals in the final moments of Argentina's 2-1 World Cup semifinal victory over England to reach the final against Spain on Sunday. Messi said the win was especially significant to Argentina's fans because of the historic rivalry between the nations.
17 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
A shirt worn by Pele during the 1958 World Cup final sold for $4.9m at Sotheby's in New York, making it the second most valuable football jersey ever sold after Diego Maradona's 1986 World Cup shirt.
16 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Argentina's players celebrated their 2-1 World Cup semi-final victory over England with a banner claiming the Falkland Islands as Argentine territory, risking a FIFA fine for breaching rules on political action. FIFA previously fined the Argentine Football Association £20,000 in 2014 for a similar banner displayed before a friendly match.
15 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Enrique Macaya Marquez, an Argentine broadcaster aged 91, is covering his 18th consecutive World Cup after beginning his career at the 1958 tournament in Sweden. Over nearly seven decades, he has reported on Pele, Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi and many other players while witnessing football transform through technological and structural changes.
15 July 2026 · Joy Online →
England bid to end Lionel Messi's dream of winning back-to-back World Cups and reach their first final in six decades as they face holders Argentina in a World Cup semifinal. The match marks the first competitive meeting between the sides since 2002 and the first time Messi has ever played against England.
15 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Ten-man England defeated Mexico 3-2 at the Azteca Stadium to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the third consecutive time, with goals from Jude Bellingham (two) and Harry Kane (penalty). England will face Norway, who beat Brazil 2-1 on the same day.
7 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Lionel Messi, who retired from international football in 2016 after Copa America disappointment, reversed that decision and has led Argentina to two Copa America titles and the 2022 World Cup. At nearly 39, he became the World Cup's all-time leading scorer after scoring twice against Austria.
22 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Sotheby's will auction the jersey worn by Pele during Brazil's 1958 World Cup victory, estimated to sell for over $6 million. The auction runs from 29 June to 16 July alongside this year's World Cup tournament.
4 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →