Top 10 expensive football items sold at auctions

There is an item on this list that was not even an original

There is no doubt that football is one of the most loved games in the world, and fans will go to any lengths to have a piece of a stamp of their favourite footballer, club, or event. Over the years, we've seen some crazy fans bid astronomical amounts to seal souvenirs of their favourite players because they want to feel connected to their club, and their players. 

Diego Maradona's World Cup-winning shirt was auctioned for almost $9 million recently, but it wasn't the first football item to fetch such a large sum. There have been many football items that have sold for a lot of money. Today here, we are with an amazing collection of the top 10 Expensive football items sold in auctions.

10. Sir Geoff Hurst Shirt (1966 World Cup)- $0.13 million 

The striker of the English World cup winning team in 1966 is a very big name in English football history. He is the only player ever in World Cup history to score a hat-trick in a final. The Shirt of World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst was sold in an auction with a price tag of  $0.13 million in 2000. Although it was again put into auction in July 2016 it went unsold at that time.

9. Gordon Banks’ 1966 World Cup Medal- $0.17 million 

The legendary Goalkeeper of the same 1966 World Cup-winning team of England- Gordon Banks medal was sold out in an auction for $0.17 million in 2001. Banks was an unremovable icon in the winning of World Cup 1966, making appearances in every game in the tournament. Gordon Bank is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in English football and won many individuals' glory as well during his career.

8. George Best‘s 1968 European Cup Medal- 0.22 million 

There is no one who is not aware of George Best. Best is a legendary Manchester United player and Northern Ireland's greatest-ever player. In the European Cup 1968 final, he scored in stoppage time to win the game for Manchester United. The match-winning performance remains one of the most iconic in European history. In an auction in 2010, his medal was sold for $0.22 million.

7. Pele’s 1970 World Cup Final Shirt- 0.22 million 

The 1970 World Cup shirt of Pele was auctioned in 2002 for $0.22 million. He is one of the greatest legends of the game and is truly the first footballer to become famous globally. During his career, he won three World Cups. In 1970, the legendary Brazilian was the first to break the deadlock in the final of a World Cup which had its own fan base, and that shirt was auctioned in 2002. 

6. Alan Ball’s 1966 World Cup Medal- 0.23 million 

The youngest member during the world cup campaign of the England National side in 1966, Alan Ball was the man of the match of the 1966 World Cup final. The medal of Alan Ball was sold for $0.23 million, making it the most expensive football medal ever sold. Ball made more than 100 appearances for three Premier League clubs and is one of the legendary names of English football.

5. Nobby Stiles’ 1996 World Cup Medal- $0.26 million 

The list of highest-sold football items has been dominated by World Cup medals that justify the emotions attached to this prestigious trophy. Member of the World Cup winning English side against West Germany played every minute of finals during that of World Cup. Nobby Stiles' medal for the Winning term of the World Cup 1996 was sold for $0.26 million in 2010.

4. Jules Rimet Trophy Replica- $.035 million 

The craziest football item to be sold is a trophy that sold for a $0.35 million prize. Surprisingly it was the replica trophy for World Cup 1966 for the England National Side. This Replica of the Jules Rimet trophy was sold as the Original trophy of the World Cup 1966. As original was stolen from the display in Brazil. The stolen Trophy of Jules Rimet was found by pickles; however, the trophy was also claimed to have melted into the gold bars during those days.

3. FA Cup 1912 Trophy- $0.96 million 

One of England's oldest football knockout cups is the FA Cup. There have been three auctions of the FA Cup trophy of the 1912 season, which holds significant value in English football history. Previously, it was owned by West Ham United's David Gold, but currently, it is owned by Manchester City's Sheikh Mansour. He purchased it in 2020.

2. Sheffield Football Club Rules, Regulations & Laws- $1.24 million 

The rule book created by Sheffield United Football Club was a code of football that was played in Sheffield (a City in England) from 1858 to 1877. The Sheffield Rules book has a major influence on the modern game of football that clearly justifies the rule of the corner, goalkeeper and strikers, etc. This book even was adopted by FA in England. This Rules, Regulations, and law book of Sheffield United was sold for $1.24 in 2021, making it the second-highest football iconic item sold ever in history. 

1. Diego Maradona ‘The Hand of God’’ World Cup Match Shirt- $8.95 million 

The goal of Diego Maradona, "Hand of God", is considered one of the most iconic goals in football history. His goal in the World Cup inspired the whole generation and remains an unforgettable moment to date. After being displayed for a few years, his World Cup-winning shirt was sold at auction in 2022. It was sold for $8.95 million, making it the most valuable football item ever sold.