Both goals may be equally famous, the first being bold and tricky. The second goal is great and amazing skills.
Only four minutes apart Two Memorable Works of Diego Maradona at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca 36 years ago and together they showcased the flawed genius and beloved football icon of Argentina. Most famous football Ali bin Nasser.
“Hand of God” – when Maradona rises above England goalkeeper Peter Shilton and punches the ball into the net – needs little guidance. football Fans of all ages As he burst through the hearts of England defenders later voted Goal of the Century.
Little surprise the ball from that day in Mexico City – now deflated and fading in places – was It is expected to fetch up to $3.3 million. at the Wednesday auction.
“No doubt It is the most famous football in the world,” said England captain Terry Butcher in the 2-1 defeat to Argentina at the 1986 World Cup. CNN Sport.
even in front of the ball while he was at Wembley Stadium in London ahead of this week’s auction. It brings back Butcher’s uncomfortable memories. Most famous football Ali bin Nasser
It was a reminder of how he argued with Tunisian referee Ali bin Nasser after Maradona’s first goal and how he tried in vain to stop the second with an outstretched leg.
“It’s very strange to be in the same room as the ball. It’s hard to explain,” Butcher added. “It’s quite surreal in many ways … that ball – it’s the biggest injustice the world has ever seen when it comes to football.”
After his death two years ago Memorabilia from Maradona’s life and career drew huge sums from the auction.
in May The shirt he wore with the England national team. Sold for $9.3 million.At the time, it made it the most expensive sports memorabilia in history.
for that match Nasser is the current owner after FIFA. Football’s global governing body Announcing that the referees will receive the ball after each game they make at the 1986 World Cup.
Nasser is now 78 years old and his referee days are long behind him. with sales proceeds overseen by Graham Budd Auctions in the UK. He will donate some of the proceeds to charity. and said the rest would “Elevate my life a little more.”
“It’s a gift from God,” Nasser told CNN Sport, “because I’ve had a 25-year career … and I made all the decisions that needed to be done.”
When asked about Maradona’s first goal and Nasser was keen to defend the reason for letting it stand.
FIFA’s advice for tournaments is to rely on other match officials if they have a better view of the events that took place. Not seeing what happened in the mid-air match between Maradona and Chilton. Nasser turned to Bulgarian lineman Bogdan Dochev instead.
“[Dochev] Coming to the center line, which means the goal is 100% correct,” Nasser said, adding that he “takes FIFA guidelines on the first goal”.
For his part, Dochev, who died five years ago, said he thought he saw. “Something is wrong” about the target But it claims that the FIFA protocol does not allow assistants to discuss decisions with referees. The repercussions would tarnish his judgment career.
“Diego Maradona ruined my life,” Dochov later. told the Bulgarian media in the year before his death “He’s a good footballer but he’s small. He is short and a person too.”
While many balls were used during today’s game. But in those days, only one ball was used in the full 90 minutes.
Graham Budd, president of the auction house at Graham Budd Auctions, said Nasser’s balls were examined by comparing match footage and high-resolution photographs. While independent agencies have verified that it is real.
The World Cup kicks off in Qatar on Sunday. This week is the perfect time for the ball auction. It could become the most expensive sports ball ever sold at auction if it overshadowed the $3 million paid for Mark McGwire’s 1999 home run baseball team.
The ball’s huge price tag wasn’t solely due to the nature of Maradona’s two interventions.
This match is the first time England and Argentina have met in a stadium since the Falklands or Malvinas war four years ago. And many players have – at least on the Argentine side – a friend or relative who is conscripted to fight in the war.
The background creates a sense of drama well before. “Hand of God” will be in the middle of the stage.
“We have energy great desire to win Not just because it’s English. But also to make our country happy in one way “Jorge Luis Berruchaka, who will score the winner in the finals. Argentina and West Germany told CNN Sport four years ago.
“We know we won’t be bringing back the Falklands War casualties. But we are aware that we will bring happiness.”
Former England international Peter Reid also acknowledged the political context of the game. which he said contributed to the status “unique” of the ball in that match.
“There are a lot of Argentinians there. There was a lot of pressure on both sets of players. And that’s when he [Maradona] It handles pressure very well,” Reid said. He is a genius footballer.”
And for the first goal? “Listen, he cheats,” Red added, “but he’s also very smart.”most famous football Ali bin Nasser.
Despite his decades-long career in football as a player and manager, Reid said he was still ridiculed for being overtaken by Maradona for the second goal. Even himself when they met in Jordan years later.
And while Nasser is the ball keeper “Hand of God” from that game and his old team-mate Steve Hodge who kept Maradona’s shirt on. Red ended up with a gift from his cunning opponent. Even though they faced each other for decades. Mexico City.
“He came up with a signed shirt for me: ‘Dear my friend. Lots of love, Diego Maradona,’” Reid said. “I have that on my wall. So that’s not bad, I’ll hold on.”
