Football History Sold: Pele’s 1958 Final Jersey Fetches $4.9m

Brazilian football legend Pelé’s iconic shirt worn during the 1958 FIFA World Cup final has been sold for an impressive $4.9 million at a Sotheby’s auction in New York, becoming one of the most valuable football jerseys ever auctioned.

According to reports, the historic jersey is now the second most expensive football shirt ever sold, trailing only behind the Argentina shirt worn by Diego Maradona during the 1986 World Cup match against England, where he scored the controversial “Hand of God” goal. That jersey was sold for £7.1 million in 2022.

The auction attracted strong interest, with Pelé’s shirt receiving 10 bids from more than five participants before reaching its final price. The sale also marked the highest amount ever paid for any piece of Pelé memorabilia at auction. Interestingly, the same shirt was previously sold in 2004 for just $105,600 (£70,505).

Pelé wore the legendary jersey as a 17-year-old during the 1958 World Cup final against Sweden, where he scored twice in Brazil’s 5-2 victory to secure the nation’s first-ever World Cup title. The achievement cemented his place in football history, as he remains the youngest player to score in a World Cup final.

Speaking on the historic sale, Sotheby’s Head of Sports Strategy and Development, Brendan Hawkes, described the result as a reflection of Pelé’s lasting influence on global football.

He noted that the shirt represents one of the most significant moments in the sport’s history and symbolizes the moment Pelé emerged as an international football superstar.

The auction, themed “The Beautiful Game,” also featured several other valuable football collectibles. Diego Maradona’s captain’s armband from the 1986 World Cup, including the tournament where he scored the famous goal against England, was sold for $512,000 (£380,000).

Meanwhile, a Lionel Messi shirt from Barcelona’s remarkable 6-1 Champions League comeback victory over Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 fetched $217,600 (£161,482), while David Beckham’s England shirt from his 50th international appearance at the 2002 World Cup sold for $51,200 (£37,996).