---
title: "Maradona's 1986 World Cup ball sells for $3.3 million"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/media/maradonas-1986-world-cup-ball-sells-for-33-million"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/maradonas-1986-world-cup-ball-sells-for-33-million"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/media/maradonas-1986-world-cup-ball-sells-for-33-million.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/maradonas-1986-world-cup-ball-sells-for-33-million"
category: "Media"
published: "2026-08-24T16:46:15.795Z"
source_reported: "2026-08-24T16:24:00.000Z"
updated: "2026-08-24T16:46:15.795Z"
trust_score: 42
critic_score: 57
hype_score: 41
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-08-24T17:45:07.625453+00:00"
---

# Maradona's 1986 World Cup ball sells for $3.3 million

*The football used for the 'Hand of God' goal fetched less than half of its estimated value at auction.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. The central claim is attributed to a named body (Heritage Auctions) and corroborated by multiple independent outlets.
- Craft 57 of 100, higher is better. The reporting includes context about the match and the ball's history, and quotes an auction specialist.
- Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headlines use loaded language like 'astonishing', 'monster sum', and 'astronomical amount'.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- The football Diego Maradona used for his 'Hand of God' goal in the 1986 World Cup has sold for $3.3 million.
- The ball was expected to fetch closer to $10 million.
- The referee of the 1986 match, Ali Bin Nasser, had kept the ball for over three decades.
- Maradona's shirt from the same match sold for £7.1 million in 2022.

The football used by Diego Maradona for his 'Hand of God' goal during the 1986 World Cup quarter-final match between Argentina and England has sold at auction for $3.3 million (£2.5 million). The Adidas Azteca ball was officiated by Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser, who had kept it for more than 30 years before selling it. The final sale price was significantly lower than the $10 million (£7.3 million) that had been anticipated.

## Disagreement on sale price

While most reports state the ball sold for $3.3 million or £2.5 million, some sources provided slightly different figures. The Irish Times reported the sale at €2.87 million, while Digi 24 and Stirile Antena 1 Observator stated it sold for nearly €2.8 million. Haberler and Noticiaslatam.lat reported $3.4 million, and Ilta-Sanomat reported $3.3 million as a 'flop' price.

## What the coverage left out

None of the left, centre, or right-rated reports mention the specific name of the auctioneer, Heritage Auctions, or the location of the auction in the United States. The full report from Ada Derana mentions Heritage Auctions in the US. None of the left, centre, or right-rated reports mention that the ball had previously been sold in 2022 for $2.37m (£1.74m) and failed to sell at auction again in 2023, details present in the full report from Ada Derana.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 35 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 50% (15)
- Centre: 20% (9)
- Right: 30% (11)

33 of 68 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-24T17:45:07.625453+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 8 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-24T18:45:04.828Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- Reports from the left-rated outlets focused on the sale price and the fact that it fell short of expectations. Ada Derana, in its full report, stated the ball sold for £2.5m ($3.3m) but had been expected to fetch nearer $10m (£7.3m). It also noted that the referee, Ali Bin Nasser, had kept the ball for over three decades and that it was the only ball used in the match. teleSUR highlighted the 'mythical performance' and the '$3.35 million' sale. GZERO Media described the ball as 'an important piece of soccer history'. Indian Express mentioned the ball had been in the possession of the Tunisian referee until 2022. Helsingin Sanomat noted the auction organiser expected the price to rise to at least €8.7 million.

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports highlighted the sale price and the disappointment that it did not meet the estimated value. Sky News UK noted the £2.5m sale. RTÉ reported the $3.35m sale. ANSA described the auction as a 'flop' for the ball sold for 'only' $3.3 million, stating it passed hands for a third of the estimate. Football (soccer) greatest goals and highlights stated the ball sold for £2.5m. Ilta-Sanomat reported the price did not meet expectations. Digi 24 focused on who bought the ball and why it was valuable, stating it sold for nearly €2.8 million.

### Right

- Right-rated outlets focused on the sale price, often noting it was a significant sum but fell short of projections. Expressen reported the ball was sold for '32 Million' without specifying currency. Il Tempo reported 'disappointment' at the 'modest' figure of 2.9 million euros. Irish Independent stated the ball sold for a 'whopping £2.5m' but fell far short of the £7.3m estimate. Daily Sabah reported the $3.35m sale. Globo reported the sale for £2.5 million, equivalent to R$17.5 million. Anadolu Ajansı reported the $3.35m sale, noting it fell well short of the $10M estimate. Protothema stated the ball sold for $3.3 million but the price was significantly lower than initial estimates.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- low: 1
- mixed: 6
- high: 24
- unknown: 35
- veryHigh: 2

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [Noticias ao Minuto](https://noticiasaominuto.com/desporto/3040786/bola-do-golo-de-maradona-com-a-mao-de-deus-vendida-por-quase-3-milhoes) — Maradona Goal Ball with the 'Hand of God' Sold for Almost 3 Million
- [Clarin](https://clarin.com/deportes/pelota-mano-dios-maradona-vendio-us-335-millones-quedo-lejos-record-camiseta_0_yZEu4Kq2TL.html) — Maradona's Hand of God Ball Sold for $3.35 Million and Was Far From the Record of His Shirt
- [La Razón](https://larazon.es/deportes/futbol/vendido-subasta-balon-mano-dios-esto-que-costado_202608246a8c7771a1aaa80b041f61d5.html) — Sold at Auction the Ball of 'God's Hand': This Is What It Cost
- [Noticias de Navarra](https://noticiasdenavarra.com/futbol/2026/08/24/balon-mano-dios-maradona-vende-argentina-inglaterra-11465632.html) — Maradona's Hand of God Ball Is Sold for $3.35 Million
- [noticiasdegipuzkoa.eus](https://noticiasdegipuzkoa.eus/futbol/2026/08/24/balon-mano-dios-maradona-vende-argentina-inglaterra-11465631.html) — Maradona's Hand of God Ball Is Sold for $3.35 Million
- [noticiasdealava.eus](https://noticiasdealava.eus/deportes/2026/08/24/balon-mano-dios-maradona-vende-argentina-inglaterra-11465629.html) — Maradona's Hand of God Ball Is Sold for $3.35 Million
- [sport.es](https://sport.es/es/noticias/futbol-internacional/fallida-subasta-balon-mano-dios-133621509) — The Failed Auction of Maradona's Hand of God Ball
- [ARTnews](https://artnews.com/art-news/news/diego-maradona-hand-of-god-soccer-ball-sells-below-estimate-1234795606) — Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ Soccer Ball Sells for $3.3 M., Well Below $10 M. Estimate
- [Sky News UK](https://news.sky.com/story/maradona-hand-of-god-football-sells-for-2-5m-13576594) — Maradona 'Hand of God' football sells for £2.5m
- [Sözcü](https://sozcu.com.tr/tanrinin-eli-topu-acik-artirmada-satildi-fiyati-dudak-ucuklatti-p352324) — The 'Hand of God' Ball Was Sold at Auction! The Price Was Astonishing - Sözcü Newspaper
- [teleSUR](https://telesurtv.net/balon-mano-de-dios-subastado-millonaria) — Ball of the Mythical Hand of God Is Auctioned by Billionaire Figure
- [Irish Times](https://irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/08/24/diego-maradonas-hand-of-god-football-sold-at-auction-for-287-million) — Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ football sold at auction for €2.87 million
- [Expressen](https://expressen.se/sport/fotboll/maradonas-ikoniska-vm-boll-sald-for-jattebelopp-) — Sold for 32 Million
- [GZERO Media](https://gzeromedia.com/news/hard-numbers/a-ball-that-s-about-much-more-than-sports) — A ball that's about much more than sports
- [Il Tempo](https://iltempo.it/attualita/2026/08/24/news/-mano-di-dio-delusione-per-il-pallone-venduto-all-asta-ecco-a-quanto-ammonta-48939633) — "God's Hand," Disappointment at the Balloon Sold at Auction. That's What It Amounts To.
- [RTÉ](https://rte.ie/sport/soccer/2026/0824/1589037-maradona-hand-of-god-football-sells-for-3-35m) — Maradona 'Hand of God' football sells for $3.35m
- [Magyar Nemzet](https://magyarnemzet.hu/sport/2026/08/maradona-isten-keze-1986-argenitna-anglia-labda-arveres) — The Hand of God Ball Has Sold Out - Millions of Dollars Were Paid for It
- [SIC Notícias](https://sicnoticias.pt/desporto/futebol-internacional/2026-08-24-bola-da-mao-de-deus-de-maradona-foi-a-leilao-e-encontrou-comprador-mas-ficou-longe-dos-recordes-48df47e4) — Maradona's Hand of God Ball Was the Auction and Found Buyer, but Stayed Away From the Records
- [ANSA](https://ansa.it/sito/notizie/sport/2026/08/24/un-flop-lasta-per-il-pallone-della-mano-de-dios-venduto-a-soli-33-milioni_398d1f24-365d-4737-9480-ba6d282c2d44.html) — A Flop Auction for the 'Mano De Dios' Ball, Sold to 'only' $3.3 Million
- [A TARDE](https://atarde.com.br/esportes/bola-da-mano-de-dios-de-maradona-e-leiloada-abaixo-do-esperado-1399568) — Maradona's "Hand of God" Ball Is Auctioned Below Expected
- [Great Yorkshire Radio](https://greatyorkshireradio.co.uk/world/maradona-hand-of-god-football-sells-for-2-5m) — Maradona 'Hand Of God' Football Sells For £2.5m
- [rmf24.pl](https://rmf24.pl/fakty/sport/news-oszalamiajaca-kwota-za-pilke-dotknieta-reka-boga-padl-rekord,nIdn,1014907) — A Staggering Sum for a Ball Touched by the "Hand of God." A Record-Breaking Sum.
- [noticiaslatam.lat](https://noticiaslatam.lat/20260824/el-balon-de-la-mano-de-dios-se-vende-por-34-millones-de-dolares-1174786510.html) — The 'Hand of God' Ball Is Sold for $3.4 Million
- [Eesti Rahvusringhääling](https://sport.err.ee/1610118106/maradona-jumala-kae-varava-pall-muudi-ligi-kolme-miljoni-euro-eest) — Maradona's "Hand of God" Goal Ball Sold for Nearly Three Million Euros
- [charentelibre.fr](https://charentelibre.fr/sport/le-ballon-de-la-main-de-dieu-de-maradona-vendu-pour-plus-de-3-millions-de-dollars-30353866.php) — Maradona's "Hand of God" Ball Sold for More than $3 Million
- [Stirile Pro TV](https://stirileprotv.ro/stiri/sport/mingea-cu-care-maradona-a-inscris-mana-lui-dumnezeu-vanduta-la-licitatie-pentru-aproape-2-8-milioane-de-euro.html) — The Ball with Which Maradona Scored "The Hand of God, Sold at Auction for Nearly 2.8 Million Euros
- [rbc.ua](https://sport.rbc.ua/ukr/football/legendarniy-m-yach-kim-maradona-zabiv-rukoyu-1787575598.html) — The Legendary Ball Maradona Scored with the "Hand of God" Was Auctioned for Millions of Dollars.
- [Ilta-Sanomat](https://is.fi/jalkapallo/art-2000012226520.html) — The World's Most Famous Football Was Sold - the Price Fell Far Short of Expectations
- [Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/diego-maradona-hand-of-god-ball-3-million-dollars-auction-10847502) — Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ ball fetches $3.3 million in auction
- [Haberler](https://haberler.com/spor/maradonanin-tanrinin-eli-topu-inanilmaz-bir-20171994-haberi) — Maradona's "Hand of God" Ball Was Sold for an Incredible Sum.
- [Ada Derana](https://adaderana.lk/news/cmt76qs5m000d356pgj5eqcwq) — Maradona's 'Hand of God' ball sells for £2.5m
- [Stirile Antena 1 Observator](https://observatornews.ro/sport/mingea-cu-care-maradona-a-inscris-impotriva-angliei-la-cupa-mondiala-1986-vanduta-la-licitatie-664087.html) — The Ball Maradona Scored Against England at the 1986 World Cup, Sold at Auction
- [Radiotelevizija Herceg-Bosne](https://rtv-hb.com/sport-strani/lopta-kojom-je-maradona-postigao-gol-bozjom-rukom-prodana-za-25-milijuna-funti) — The Ball Used by Maradona to Score the "Hand of God" Goal Sold for £2.5 Million
- [Helsingin Sanomat](https://hs.fi/urheilu/art-2000012226743.html) — Football | "Hand of God" Ball Sold for 2.87 Million Euros
- [gazetepencere.com](https://gazetepencere.com/spor/maradona-hatirasi-33-milyon-dolara-satildi-712974h) — A Maradona Memorabilia Sold for $3.3 Million.
- [gazzetta.gr](https://gazzetta.gr/football/mundial/2563482/astronomiko-poso-poy-poylithike-i-mpala-toy-theoy) — The Astronomical Amount for Which the "Ball of God" Was Sold
- [Unknown](https://matichon.co.th/sport/footballinter/news_5860183) — Maradona's "Hand of God" Soccer Ball Was Auctioned for 107 Million Baht.
- [Deník.cz](https://denik.cz/ostatni-fotbal/aukce-mic-diego-maradona-ms-bozi-ruka-heritage-actions) — The Famous Ball. Maradona Kicked It, Now the Ball Has Been Auctioned for Millions
- [Vísir](https://visir.is/g/20262925173d/boltinn-sem-hond-guds-snerti-seldur-a-upp-bodi) — The Ball Touched by the "Hand of God" Sold at Auction
- [La Vanguardia](https://lavanguardia.com/deportes/20260824/11619010/balon-mano-dios-maradona-vende-2-9-millones.html) — Maradona's Hand of God Ball Is Sold for over Three Million Dollars
- [The Current](https://thecurrent.pk/diego-maradonas-hand-of-god-ball-sells-for-3-35m-at-auction) — Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ ball sells for $3.35m at auction
- [Irish Independent](https://independent.ie/sport/soccer/diego-maradonas-hand-of-god-football-sells-for-whopping-2.5m-at-auction/a/160425687.html) — Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ football sells for whopping £2.5m at auction
- [Thegeniusmedia](https://thegeniusmedia.com.ng/2026/08/24/breaking-diego-maradonas-hand-of-god-ball-sells-for-2-5m-at-auction-photo) — Diego Maradona’s Hand Of God Ball
- [in.gr](https://in.gr/2026/08/24/sports/football/polithike-i-mpala-me-tin-opoia-egrapse-istoria-o-marantona-to-xeri-tou-theou-kai-to-apisteyto-deytero-gkol-kontra-stous-agglous) — The Ball with Which Maradona Made History Has Been Sold – The "Hand of God" and the Incredible Second Goal Against England
- [Naija News - Nigeria News](https://naijanews.com/2026/08/24/maradonas-hand-god-ball-sells-2-5m-auction) — Maradona’s ‘Hand Of God’ Ball Sells For £2.5m At Auction
- [delo.si](https://delo.si/magazin/svet-so-ljudje/prodana-nogometna-zoga-ki-se-je-je-dotaknila-bozja-roka) — They Sold a Soccer Ball that Was Touched by the Hand of God
- [sky.it](https://sport.sky.it/calcio/mondiali/2026/08/24/argentina-inghilterra-1986-pallone-maradona-mano-de-dios-asta) — The Ball 'Mano De Dios' Sold at Auction
- [Daily Sabah](https://dailysabah.com/sports/football/maradonas-iconic-hand-of-god-goal-ball-fetches-335m-at-auction) — Maradona's iconic 'Hand of God' goal ball fetches $3.35M at auction
- [Digi 24](https://digi24.ro/stiri/sport/fotbal/mingea-legendara-de-la-mana-lui-dumnezeu-a-lui-maradona-scoasa-la-licitatie-cine-a-cumparat-o-si-de-ce-e-atat-de-valoroasa-3918779) — Legendary Ball From "The Hand of God of Maradona, Auctioned Out: Who Bought It and Why Is so Valuable
- [Football (soccer) greatest goals and highlights | 101 Great Goals…](https://101greatgoals.com/football/maradonas-hand-of-god-ball-sells-2-5m-auction) — Maradona's 'Hand of God' ball sells for £2.5m at auction
- [Globo](https://oglobo.globo.com/esportes/epoca/noticia/2026/08/24/bola-do-gol-da-mao-de-deus-de-maradona-e-vendida-por-r-175-milhoes-em-leilao.ghtml) — Maradona's ‘Hand of God's Goal Ball Is Sold for R$17.5 Million in Auction
- [Unknown](https://srugim.co.il/101009321-%D7%94%D7%9B%D7%93%D7%95%D7%A8-%D7%A9%D7%9C-%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%93%D7%95%D7%A0%D7%94-%D7%9E%D7%A9%D7%A2%D7%A8-%D7%99%D7%93-%D7%94%D7%90%D7%9C%D7%95%D7%94%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%A0%D7%9E%D7%9B%D7%A8) — The Ball From the "Hand of God" Goal Was Sold - but for Much Less than Estimated
- [CNN Greece](https://cnn.gr/sports/story/549116/poulithike-gia-2-8-ekat-evro-i-bala-tou-marantona-apo-to-mountial-tou-1986) — Maradona's Ball From the 1986 World Cup Sold for 2.8 Million Euros
- [Protothema](https://protothema.gr/sports/article/1868739/polithike-se-dimoprasia-gia-33-ekat-dolaria-i-bala-pou-o-maradona-evale-to-heri-tou-theou) — The Ball that Maradona Put the "Hand of God" on Was Sold at Auction for $3.3 Million
- [Dnevni list Danas](https://danas.rs/bbc-news-serbian/najskuplja-lopta-u-istoriji-fudbala-skoro-tri-miliona-evra-za-maradoninu-bozju-ruku) — The Most Expensive Ball in the History of Football: Almost Three Million Euros for Maradona's 'Hand of God'
- [CNN Brasil](https://cnnbrasil.com.br/esportes/futebol/futebol-internacional/bola-do-gol-de-mao-de-maradona-na-copa-de-1986-e-leiloada-por-r-17-milhoes) — Maradona's Handball at the 1986 Cup Is Auctioned for R$17 Million
- [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/sport/football/diego-maradona-hand-of-god-ball-auction-england-argentina-b3038027.html) — Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ ball sells for £2.5m
- [anews.com.tr](https://anews.com.tr/sport/2026/08/24/maradonas-hand-of-god-ball-sells-for-335m-at-auction) — Maradonas Hand of God ball sells for $3.35M at auction
- [Metrópoles](https://metropoles.com/esportes/mao-de-deus-bola-do-gol-de-maradona-e-leiloada-por-r-175-milhoes) — Hand of God: Maradona Goal Ball Auctioned for R$ 17.5 Million
- [Frontkick.online](https://frontkick.online/senaste-nytt/maradonas-guds-hand-boll-sald) — So Many Millions Were Paid for the "Hand of God" Ball
- [Unknown](https://chosun.com/national/people/2026/08/25/JYBRGGA6XFB53B6OSVKIT6IXGY) — Maradona's 'Hand of God' Soccer Ball Sold for 4.5 Billion Won at Auction
- [svt Nyheter](https://svt.se/sport/fotboll/guds-hand-bollen-sald-for-32-miljoner-kronor) — Fotboll: ”Guds hand”-bollen såld – för 32 miljoner kronor
- [Al Jazeera](https://aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2026/8/24/08-24-26-mardona-ball-sold-clip) — Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ ball from Mexico sells for $3.35m
- [Anadolu Ajansı](https://aa.com.tr/en/sports/maradonas-hand-of-god-ball-sells-for-335m-at-auction/4035377) — Maradona's 'Hand of God' ball sells for $3.35M at auction
- [Sinar Daily](https://sinardaily.my/article/740053/focus/world/maradonas-hand-of-god-ball-sells-for-us335-million-at-auction) — Maradona's 'Hand of God' ball sells for US$3.35 million at auction
- [Free Malaysia Today News](https://freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/08/24/maradona-s-hand-of-god-ball-sells-for-us-3-35-million-at-auction) — Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ ball sells for US$3.35mil at auction
- [AlJadeed.tv](https://aljadeed.tv/sports/%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B6%D8%A9/586557/%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87-%D8%AA%D9%8F%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B9-%D8%A8%D9%8033-%D9%85%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%8A%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B1/ar) — The Hand of God Ball Sells $3.3 Million.
- [Sopitas.com](https://sopitas.com/deportes/subastan-balon-mano-de-dios-3-5-millones-dolares-donde-estaba) — They Raise the 'Hand of God' Ball at $3.5 Million: Where Was It?

## Questions

**How much did Maradona's 'Hand of God' ball sell for?**

The football used by Diego Maradona for his 'Hand of God' goal in the 1986 World Cup sold for $3.3 million (£2.5 million). This price was significantly lower than the expected $10 million.

**Who refereed the match where the 'Hand of God' goal was scored?**

The match was refereed by Ali Bin Nasser of Tunisia. He kept the ball for over three decades before it was eventually put up for auction.

**How does the ball's sale price compare to Maradona's shirt?**

The 'Hand of God' ball sold for $3.3 million. In contrast, the shirt Maradona wore during the same 1986 match was sold at auction in 2022 for £7.1 million.

---

MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/media/maradonas-1986-world-cup-ball-sells-for-33-million. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Maradona's 1986 World Cup ball sells for $3.3 million", https://mediabias.news/media/maradonas-1986-world-cup-ball-sells-for-33-million