1. Diego Maradona | 1986 Argentina World Cup Quarter-Final vs. England
Worn during the infamous match where Maradona scored the controversial "Hand of God" goal, this piece of football history shattered records when it sold for £7,142,500 in May 2022 at Sotheby’s London.
2. Lionel Messi | Set of 6 Argentina World Cup Shirts (2022)
Worn throughout Messi's historic, fairytale Qatar campaign, this iconic collection of six shirts brought a staggering £6.2 million at Sotheby's New York in December 2023.
.png)
After scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory, Maradona swapped this shirt with Belgian goalkeeper Jean-Marie Pfaff, later signing it for him in 2016. While it initially passed unsold at a $800,000 estimate in 2024, the coveted item recently found its winner, fetching a solid £345,000 at Millon & Associes in Paris (May 2026).
.png)
Pelé scored the opening goal in Brazil's dominant 4-0 victory wearing this jersey. It was sold at Christie’s London in March 2002 for £157,750.
.png)
The legendary No. 7 shirt fetched £130,000 at Tennants of Yorkshire. This came just two years after the shirt belonging to Ball’s teammate, Sir Geoff Hurst, sold for £91,750 at Christie’s.
The Next Multi-Million Dollar Legend?
If you have your heart set on owning a rare piece of sporting history, your next chance is just around the corner. Brazilian icon Pelé's shirt from the 1958 World Cup is heading to Sotheby's between 29 June and 16 July. A young Pelé was just 17 years old when he scored twice in that landmark match, leading Brazil to a 5-2 win over Sweden and securing their very first World Cup title. The historic jersey is expected to fetch over $6 million.
Do you own rare sports memorabilia, fine art or high-value collectibles? The market for historic sports memorabilia is moving faster than ever. Whether you are looking to consign, insure or understand the current market worth of your collection, our experts provide independent, industry-leading appraisals.