Former England international Steve Hodge sold the shirt he swapped with Argentina's Diego Maradona after the infamous 1986 World Cup quarter-final for £7.1 million. The sale came decades after the 'Hand of God' incident, which saw Maradona punch the ball into England's net.
The 1986 World Cup Quarter-Final
On June 22, 1986, more than 114,000 spectators at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca watched England face Argentina in a bitter quarter-final. In the 51st minute, Hodge's misjudged clearance looped back toward goalkeeper Peter Shilton, and Maradona charged in. He used his left fist to punch the ball into the net, a goal that stood despite England's protests.
Four minutes later, Maradona scored a second, dribbling 60 yards past several England players. Gary Lineker pulled one back in the 81st minute, but England lost 2-1 and were eliminated.
The Shirt Swap and Backlash
After the final whistle, Hodge exchanged shirts with Maradona in the tunnel. His England teammates were furious. Kenny Sansom recalled: "Certain words were said in the dressing room. It was an angry place to be because we felt we'd been cheated. Some of us had a go at Steve Hodge asking why he wanted Maradona's shirt when he was a cheat."
Peter Reid, Hodge's room-mate in Mexico, added: "When we were in the hotel, he got the shirt out with the number 10 on it and says, 'What about that then?' So not only has Maradona battered me and handled one in, I've got Hodge showing me his shirt. I gave Hodgy the biggest b********g he's ever had in his life."
From Attic to Auction
Hodge kept the shirt in his attic for 15 years before loaning it to the National Football Museum in 2002. In 2022, it went to auction and sold for £7.1 million before deductions. The sale made headlines, especially as England and Argentina renewed their rivalry at the 2026 World Cup, where Argentina won 2-1 to eliminate England again.
