In a surprising turn of events, Diego Maradona’s Golden Ball trophy, earned for being named the best player at the 1986 World Cup, will soon be up for auction in France on June 6. This marks the first time a Golden Ball trophy has been put up for auction, with expectations of fetching millions of dollars. The renowned Aguttes auction house will be overseeing the proceedings, leaving many football fans intrigued about the potential sale price.
Maradona, who tragically passed away in 2020, clinched the prestigious award after leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Mexico. His standout performance included scoring an impressive five goals throughout the tournament, all while captaining his national team and playing every minute of the competition. One of the most iconic moments of the 1986 World Cup was Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” incident, where he outmaneuvered England’s goalkeeper by utilising his hand to score a crucial goal in the quarterfinals.
Following his controversial goal against England, Maradona showcased his unrivaled skill and finesse by executing a breathtaking solo run that led to what is now dubbed as the “Goal of the Century.” This extraordinary display of talent solidified Maradona’s status as one of the greatest footballers of all time. His jersey and the match ball from that historic game have both been previously auctioned off, garnering significant interest from avid collectors and fans alike.
Maradona’s brilliance didn’t stop there, as he went on to score crucial goals in the semifinal against Belgium before ultimately guiding Argentina to a thrilling 3-2 victory over West Germany in the final. The Golden Ball award, introduced at the 1982 World Cup, has seen illustrious winners such as Paolo Rossi of Italy, Romario and Ronaldo of Brazil, and Zinedine Zidane of France. Notably, Lionel Messi of Argentina remains the only player to have clinched the accolade twice, further emphasizing the esteemed company Maradona keeps in footballing history.
Recent reports from French newspaper L’Equipe highlighted the mysterious journey of Maradona’s Golden Ball trophy, suggesting it was initially stolen but has resurfaced among various trophy lots in an auction room. Aguttes, after a thorough investigation into the trophy’s authenticity, managed to confirm its provenance as Maradona’s Adidas Golden Ball award. This revelation has added an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming auction, drawing attention from football enthusiasts worldwide.
The impending auction of Diego Maradona’s Golden Ball trophy serves as a poignant reminder of his enduring legacy and impact on the sport of football. The trophy represents not only his individual brilliance but also his contributions to Argentina’s World Cup triumph in 1986, solidifying his place among the pantheon of footballing legends.
Leave a Reply