The history of football is inseparably linked with football jerseys because these garments commemorate historical achievements and outstanding players along with remarkable victories. The vast majority of football shirts come through mass production for football fans yet particular game-damaged shirts generate massive auction valuations. Multiple millions in customer spending went toward the acquisition of match-worn football jerseys that represent iconic football moments. This article reviews the history of five most valuable football shirts sold on the market which include legendary uniforms from Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona.
5. Cristiano Ronaldo - £39,000
The white away kit Cristiano Ronaldo wore during his last match for United became a $49,560 purchase after Chinese auctionNovember 2022. Aston Villa defeated Manchester United 3-1 while Ronaldo wore their white Adidas-made away shirt but this look commanded an exorbitant price even with the loss. Ronaldo led Manchester United during the game before his controversial Piers Morgan interview played out leading to his Old Trafford departure.
The end of Ronaldo's second United career was not glamorous but fans still recognize him as one of the greatest players who performed at Manchester United's 75,000-seat stadium. Ronaldo performed 145 goals from 346 matches for Manchester United and brought them nine key championships during his time there.
4. Sir Geoff Hurst - £91,750
In September 2000 Sir Geoff Hurst's World Cup final shirt obtained £91,750 when it sold which became the highest price paid for a football jersey until Pelé's Brazil number surpassed it during that period. During the match he scored a three-goal performance against West Germany as England won their first international tournament and their only in history. The successful British bidder who won the auction spent his holiday in Australia for the Olympic Games to digitally place his offer and expressed great joy after the successful acquisition.
3. Pele - £157,750
During a 2002 auction Pelé's 1970 World Cup Brazil shirt reached a buying price of £157,750 which made it the highest ever football jersey purchase at that time. The final shirt had been worn by the renowned footballer known for his legendary status among all time greats during Brazil's victory against Italy. During the match Gli Azzurri lost 4-1 while he secured the opening goal after a precise header.
The final auction value exceeded projections by three times its estimated worth while the shirt's new owner chose to stay unknown to everyone. Pelé surrendered his shirt to former Italy player Roberto Rosarto who won the highest possible bid.
2. Lionel Messi - £6.1m
The £6.1 million spent for Lionel Messi shirts included all 6 pieces from his historic World Cup appearance in Qatar. According to Sotheby the auction sale of this sports memorabilia stood as the highest recorded in 2023.
Football fans waited patiently to witness Messi lift the respected World Cup trophy and December 2022 finally brought them that spectacle when Argentina defeated France in penalty kicks. He publicly promised that his 35-year-old body would exit the worldwide sporting tournament after that final appearance yet he successfully lifted the pinnacle of sports achievement to seal his retirement. The famous day prompted mass worldwide bidding among collectors who wanted to acquire his commemorative memorabilia from that match. His first choice for acquisition went to the shirt he wore during the victory.
Six jerseys belonging to Messi were sold during December 2023 because the charity Barcelona received donations when he posted a statement on Instagram.
1. Diego Maradona - £7.1m
During the 1986 Mexico World Cup quarter-finals against England Diego Maradona wore an Argentina shirt that fetched £7.1m ($9m) becoming a historic record for sporting memorabilia. During the 1986 Mexico World Cup quarter-final match Maradona scored two goals to lead his team to defeat England 2-1 while playing as a left-footed maestro and his nation advanced to win the competition before reaching the semi-finals. The final eight match becomes most associated with his solo effort against Peter Shilton where he used his palm to score.
The middle part of the match became defined by a historic goal Maradona executed which ranks as one of the top achievements in soccer history. Maradona made his run from inside his own half against ten English defenders before beating Shilton by poking the ball into the net. The fans in attendance reacted in dual emotions during the Mexican soccer match when the decisions of the Estadio Azteca stadium and the English traveling supporters diverged. At the time of the attack English forward Gary Lineker experienced a fleeting thought to conduct an applause. Maradona's celebrated status in football history is secure and he became one of the finest athletes who played in the sport.