The shirt worn by Diego Maradona when he scored two of the most famous goals in soccer history has been sold for Stg 7.14 million ($12.5 million) —a new auction record for an item of sports memorabilia.

Maradona, who died in November 2020 aged 60, wore Argentina’s No. 10 shirt in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final against England in Mexico.

Six minutes into the second half, a man thought by many to be the greatest player of all-time put his team ahead by punching the ball into the net for what he famously claimed afterwards came via the ‘hand of God’.

Four minutes later, Maradona then dribbled from his own half to score a goal widely considered the best in World Cup history.

England midfielder Steve Hodge got Maradona’s jersey after the game and announced last month he was putting it up for auction after 19 years on display at England’s National Football Museum.

“This historic shirt is a tangible reminder of an important moment not only in the history of sports, but in the history of the 20th century,” said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s Head of Streetwear and Modern Collectables.

Sotheby’s said the buyer was anonymous.

Diego Maradona’s jersey was worn during the 1986 World Cup quarter-final match against England. Photo: Getty

The sale on Wednesday broke the previous record for sports memorabilia set by the original autograph manuscript of the Olympic Manifesto from 1892, which went for $US8.8 million ($12.4 million) in 2019.

The sale of Maradona’s jersey was complicated by claims that the wrong shirt was going under the hammer, with his daughter and ex-wife saying Hodge received the shirt Maradona wore in the first half of the match.

Sotheby’s said they used photomatching technology to “conclusively” match the shirt to both goals by “examining unique details on various elements of the item, including the patch, stripes, and numbering”.