Pele’s 1958 World Cup final jersey sells for $4.9m at auction

A jersey worn by Brazilian football legend Pele during the 1958 FIFA World Cup final has sold for $4.9 million at an auction in New York, becoming the second most expensive football shirt ever sold.

The iconic blue jersey went under the hammer at Sotheby’s on Thursday, with an anonymous buyer emerging victorious after outbidding four other bidders.

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Pele, widely regarded as one of football’s greatest players, was just 17 years old when he inspired Brazil to their first World Cup title, scoring twice in a 5-2 victory over hosts Sweden in the 1958 final.

The sale underscores the enduring value of memorabilia linked to one of the sport’s most historic moments.

Despite the record-breaking price, Pele’s jersey remains second on the list of the most expensive football shirts ever auctioned.

The top spot is still held by the Argentina jersey worn by Diego Maradona during his country’s 2-1 victory over England in the quarter-finals of the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, which sold for $9.3 million.

That match is remembered for Maradona’s two unforgettable goals, including the controversial “Hand of God” strike and the stunning solo effort widely regarded as one of the greatest goals in World Cup history.

AFP