Diego Maradona’s iconic blue shirt from the 1986 World Cup quarter-final against England sold at auction for about $9.28 million today [1, 2, 3]. Maradona wore the shirt when he scored both the 'Hand of God' goal and the 'Goal of the Century' during the match on June 22, 1986 [1, 2, 3].
Argentina originally wore white but exchanged shirts with Uruguay. When Argentina needed a blue replacement quickly, reports say the team obtained the shirt from the Tepito street market in Mexico City shortly before the match [1, 2, 3]. Filmmaker Phidel McCabe explored this story in the documentary "El Diez: Made in Tepito," highlighting the shirt’s unusual modifications. McCabe described how badges were stitched on and American football-style numbers ironed on, explaining the shirt’s glittery numbers as a distinct 1980s style [1, 2, 3].
However, the Tepito market origin remains disputed locally. McCabe said, "Even here in Mexico City, people aren't sure whether this story is true. So it made me more enthusiastic to get to the bottom of the truth" [1]. The film seeks to celebrate Tepito’s cultural connection to those historic moments, as McCabe remarked, "They are part of Tepito's culture and history, and I wanted to celebrate that" [1].
Meanwhile, the official match ball from the same quarter-final is set for auction with a $2.5 million opening bid [4, 5]. Heritage Auctions described it as a "true one-of-one item" and "arguably the most significant soccer item that exists," reflecting its place in football history linked to Maradona’s legendary goals [4]. This auction is part of a broader boom in soccer collectibles, driven largely by the US market and the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup [4, 5]. Modern trading cards of stars like Messi, Ronaldo, and Mbappe have also seen soaring values [4, 5].
The shirt sale and upcoming ball auction spotlight growing interest in World Cup memorabilia as the sport gains more global commercial attention. The match ball auction will take place following today’s record-setting shirt sale [4, 5].
