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The jersey worn by legendary Brazilian forward Pelé in the 1958 World Cup final was sold at auction for 4.3 million euros this Thursday in New York, USA, Sotheby's auction house announced.
Pelé donned the shirt during Brazil's first World Cup triumph against Sweden. At just 17 years old, Edson Arantes do Nascimento scored two of the five goals in the 5-2 victory over the host nation, after Brazil had eliminated France in the semi-finals by the same scoreline.
The jersey was gifted by Pelé to his teammate and friend Dida, remaining in Dida's family for decades. It was later displayed in a museum and first auctioned in 2004 for an undisclosed sum. In today's auction, it was sold after 10 bids from five interested parties, ultimately going to an unidentified buyer.
According to Sotheby's, the jersey has become the second most expensive in the world. The record is still held by the shirt worn by Argentine forward Diego Armando Maradona on June 22, 1986, in the famous World Cup quarter-final against England, which sold for 8.1 million euros. In that match, Argentina won 2-1 thanks to two iconic Maradona goals, including the infamous 'Hand of God' goal, which was allowed by the referee.
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