Maradona’s armband is tied to Argentina’s famous meeting with England, when the forward scored the controversial “Hand of God” goal before adding one of the tournament’s great solo strikes. The object’s value is not simply material: it represents a defining World Cup rivalry, a disputed decision and Maradona’s central role in Argentina’s title-winning campaign.
The report says bidding for the armband had reached $100,000, with the auction still open. That figure reflects the premium attached to objects connected to football’s most recognisable moments.
Pelé’s shirt has an even stronger financial target. The Brazil number 10 shirt, reportedly worn during the 1958 World Cup final, is expected to command at least $6 million. Pelé scored twice in Brazil’s 5-2 victory over Sweden as a 17-year-old, creating a direct link between the garment and the beginning of his global legend.
Maradona’s Argentina shirt from the same 1986 match reportedly sold for $9.3 million in 2022. A ball from the fixture is also expected to enter the market, showing how a single historic match can generate several collectable assets.
Demand is not limited to elite auctions. The report says football art, vintage match-worn shirts and modern replica kits are all attracting buyers. In Japan, Adidas reportedly recorded away-shirt sales 29 times higher than for its 2022 World Cup edition, while the home shirt’s sales doubled.
That range matters. Collectors are buying authenticated history at the top end, while supporters continue to create demand through current shirts and tournament culture.
The auction’s final prices will help establish whether football’s biggest names can push memorabilia further into the territory traditionally occupied by fine art and classic sports collectibles. The next major test may come when Maradona’s match ball reaches the market, offering another measure of how much a single World Cup moment can still command.