The retired Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser is seeking a buyer for the legendary ball used by the late Diego Maradona to score both the “Hand of God” and the “Goal of the Century” during the mythical 1986 FIFA World Cup.
According to the Italian newspaper La Nuova Sardegna, this precious piece of football history will be put up for auction by Heritage Auctions. The auctions will begin on August 23, with a starting price set at $2.5 million.
Nevertheless, sporting memorabilia experts estimate that the ball’s true value could climb to around $10 million, given its direct involvement in two of the most famous and controversial goals in football history. Bin Nasser has carefully preserved this ball since refereeing that iconic quarter-final in which Argentina defeated England 2-1.
The immense value of this ball stems from a frenetic four-minute sequence in the second half of that 1986 clash in Mexico.
In the 51st minute, Maradona opened the scoring by striking the ball with his fist into the net, a move now known as the “Hand of God.” Bin Nasser, whose sight was hampered by the speed of the action, nevertheless allowed the goal.
Four minutes later, barely, the “Golden Boy” surged on a stunning solo run from his own half, dribbling past about half of the English team and scoring what would later be hailed as the “Goal of the Century.”
Although forever tied to that memorable match in Mexico City, Bin Nasser led a brilliant refereeing career from 1976 to 1991.
His impressive résumé includes notably refereeing the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in 1984 and 1986, as well as a match at the 1988 edition of the tournament.
He also officiated two matches at the 1985 FIFA World Youth Championship held in the Soviet Union.
