The iconic Golden Ball trophy of Diego Maradona, which he won in the 1986 World Cup, has been found after being missing for decades. The prestigious award will be sold at an auction in Paris next month through the Aguttes house.
Maradona was awarded the trophy for his exceptional performance during the tournament, leading Argentina to victory over West Germany with a score of 3-2 in Mexico City. He made history throughout the tournament with his infamous “Hand of God” goal and the “Goal of the Century” in a match against England during the quarterfinals.
The auction house expects that the trophy will fetch millions due to its rarity and significance. Maradona received the award at a ceremony held at Lido cabaret on Champs-Élysées in 1986, but it went missing and sparked various rumors about its whereabouts. Some stories claimed that it was lost during a poker game or sold to settle debts. Others suggested that it was stolen from a safe at a Naples bank during Maradona’s time playing in Italy or melted down into gold pieces by mafia members.
However, all these theories were dismissed as unlikely by Aguttes, who authenticated the trophy when it resurfaced among other items acquired from a private collection in Paris in 2016. Maradona’s legacy goes beyond this trophy; his controversial “Hand of God” goal and brilliant “Goal of the Century” against England showcased his unparalleled talent as a footballer, earning him recognition from FIFA as one of the greatest goals in World Cup history. Potential bidders must make a deposit of €150,000 ($161,000) to participate in the auction scheduled for June 6th.
In conclusion, Diego Maradona’s Golden Ball trophy is set to be sold at an auction in Paris next month through Aguttes house. This rare and significant item is expected to fetch millions due to its historical significance and rarity. The auction will provide potential bidders with an opportunity to own a piece of football history while also highlighting Maradona’s remarkable talent on and off-the-field during the 1986 World Cup tournament.
