Sports

Maradona Jersey Auction Opens With $5m Bid

Published

4 years ago

April 20, 2022

An auction of the jersey worn by Diego Maradona when he scored twice against England in the 1986 World Cup, including the infamous “hand of God” goal, kicked off Wednesday with a bid of over $5 million.

Sotheby’s is selling the blue number 10 Argentina shirt in an online sale that runs until May 4.

A few hours after bidding opened, the site showed that a first offer of £4 million ($5.2 million) — matching the low end of the auction house’s pre-sale estimate — had been registered.
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That would set a new record price for a football jersey at auction.

The record for a game-worn shirt from any sport is $5.6 million, set in 2019 for a jersey Babe Ruth wore while on the New York Yankees.

Maradona’s daughter cast doubt on the sale earlier this month when she claimed that the shirt put up for auction had been the one her father wore in the goalless first half, not the second when he scored his two goals.

Sotheby’s insists they have the right shirt, though.

It had been owned since the end of the controversial encounter by opposing midfielder Steve Hodge, who swapped his jersey with Maradona after England lost 2-1.

Hodge, whose autobiography is titled “The man with Maradona’s shirt,” has for the past 20 years loaned the jersey to be on public display at the National Football Museum in Manchester.

The quarter-final showdown became etched in football folklore for Maradona’s two goals — one notorious and one sublime — in Mexico City’s seething Aztec Stadium.

The first came shortly after half-time when Hodge, on the edge of the England penalty area, intercepted a pass and flicked the ball back towards goal.

Maradona, running into the box, rose with England’s goalkeeper Peter Shilton and punched the ball into the net. He later said the goal had been scored “a little with the head of Maradona, a little with the hand of God.”

Soon after, Maradona left five English defenders in his wake before gliding past Shilton and slotting home for a strike that was voted “Goal of the Century” in a 2002 FIFA poll.

Argentina went on to win the final and Maradona, who died from a heart attack in 2020, became worshipped in his home country.

AFP

Sports

EPL: Chelsea Set To Sanction First Summer Transfer Under Alonso

Published

4 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Chelsea are set to sanction their first summer transfer under their new manager, Xabi Alonso.

According to the BBC Sport, the Blues are ‘open’ to selling Filip Jorgensen this summer after the goalkeeper indicated his desire to leave Stamford Bridge.

Jorgensen joined the Premier League west London club two seasons ago from Villarreal.

The 24-year-old shot-stopper was expected to compete for the number one position with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, but he made just 11 Premier League appearances over the two seasons.

However, while the arrival of Alonso to Stamford Bridge could lead to a change in fortunes for Jorgensen, the report added that the Danish star has already expressed his desire to leave Chelsea this summer to get more regular playing game-time elsewhere.

Chelsea had blocked a potential exit for Jorgensen in the January transfer window, but the Premier League west London club are now open to a sale, with European and English clubs expected to explore a deal for the goalkeeper.

Sports

EPL: ‘Go For Alvarez’ – Paul Merson Hands Arsenal Two Signings To Make

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

Arsenal legend, Paul Merson, has handed his old club two signings to make in the summer.

Merson wants Arsenal to sign Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez and a new midfielder.

“I would get a centre forward this summer, I would go for Julian Alvarez,” Merson said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast.

“I am a big fan. If they could get him, I would. I still think they probably need another midfield player as well.”

Arsenal is expected to bolster its squad in the summer after winning the Premier League title ahead of Manchester City this season.

Sports

EPL: Wayne Rooney Picks Most Improved Player This Season

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

Manchester United legend, Wayne Rooney, has picked the Red Devils defender Luke Shaw as the most improved player in the Premier League following the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.

Speaking on his BBC podcast, Rooney said, “I think, for me, Luke Shaw. I think Luke Shaw has been the most improved player this season.

“I know he is an experienced player now, but I think his level this season has been much better than it has been in recent seasons.

“People might look at Kobbie Mainoo but I don’t think he’s improved. It was just the fact he wasn’t playing under the former manager so it wasn’t good or bad.”

Shaw enjoyed one of his most consistent seasons at Man United and started all of Man United’s Premier League games.