By Joiner Martinez
22 Jul 2024, 20:39 PM EDT
The Argentine national team jersey worn by legendary footballer Diego Maradona in the 1986 World Cup semi-final will be auctioned on August 22 at Sotheby’s in New York with an estimated price of between $800,000 and $1.2 million.
Maradona (1960-2020) exchanged his shirt for the gloves of Belgian goalkeeper Jean Marie Pfaff, who has kept the memory ever since, and after the two met again in 2016, the Argentine star wrote a dedication to him: “For the nice Jean Marie, with all my love,” details Sotheby’s.
“I have treasured this shirt for almost four decades, ever since Diego and I exchanged things after that unforgettable semi-final. Competing against one of the greatest players in football was an honour but calling him a friend was even more special,” said the Belgian in a statement from the club.
Since 2023, Pfaff has exhibited the sweaty and signed shirt at his ‘El Sympatico Museum’ in the town of Beveren (Belgium), and before the auction, which opened the bidding period online today, it can be seen at Sotheby’s headquarters in New York from July 26 to 30.
Maradona’s jersey is one of the jewels of a sports auction of cultural icons, including the Spanish tennis player Rafa Nadal, who is up for auction with a racket that he used in 2006 at Roland Garros and Wimbledon and a pair of shoes that he used in 2014 at the Australian Open.
Other items up for auction
Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant’s locker will be auctioned for more than $1 million.
The locker was reportedly on the verge of being destroyed during renovations at the Staples Center in 2018. However, a maintenance worker at the facility noticed the situation and decided to save it and put it in safekeeping. This was only after he realized that it belonged to the Hall of Famer.
The employee, whose identity has not been revealed, kept the locker in storage for several years. Now, an American collector has acquired it. The reason? He had the locker’s identification plate and decided to buy it to have the complete set.
The American chain reported that the piece will be auctioned by the prestigious auction house Sotheby’s, for an approximate price of up to $1.2 million dollars. Part of this money will even be donated to charity.
“In keeping with Kobe Bryant’s legacy of philanthropy and community impact, a portion of the proceeds from the sale will directly benefit the Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation,” Sotheby’s told TMZ Sports.
Keep reading:
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