In an exciting development, the iconic Golden Ball trophy awarded to Diego Maradona at the 1986 World Cup has finally been discovered after decades of being missing. The prestigious award, which recognizes Maradona’s outstanding performance during the tournament, is set to be auctioned in Paris next month by Aguttes house.
The legendary Argentine footballer received the Golden Ball for his exceptional play in leading his team to a thrilling 3-2 victory over West Germany in the final held in Mexico City. Among his most memorable moments was scoring the infamous “Hand of God” goal and the “Goal of the Century” against England in the quarterfinals.
After surfacing in 2016 among other items acquired from a private collection at an auction in Paris, the Golden Ball trophy has undergone thorough authentication by Aguttes. It is now ready to be sold on June 6, with potential bidders required to make a deposit of 150,000 euros ($161,000) to participate.
The auction house anticipates that the trophy will fetch millions due to its historical significance and uniqueness. Over the years, various rumors have circulated about what happened to Maradona’s iconic award, including speculation that it was lost during a poker game or sold to settle debts or stored in a safe that was robbed and ultimately led to its melting down into gold pieces. However, Aguttes has assured potential buyers that they are satisfied with the authenticity of this rare piece of sports history.
