The shirt worn by Brazil legend Pele during the 1958 FIFA World Cup final has been sold for USD 4.9 million at auction, making it the most valuable piece of memorabilia associated with the football icon, according to Sotheby’s.
The iconic No. 10 shirt, worn by a 17-year-old Pele as Brazil defeated hosts Sweden 5-2 in Stockholm, attracted 10 bids from more than five bidders. The sale price makes it the second-most expensive football shirt ever auctioned, behind the USD 9.3 million paid in 2022 for Diego Maradona’s Argentina jersey from the 1986 World Cup quarter-final.
Pele, who passed away in 2022 at the age of 82, scored twice in the 1958 final and remains the youngest player ever to score in a World Cup final. The shirt was previously sold at auction in 2004 for GBP 70,505.
Pele won the FIFA World Cup with Brazil in 1958, 1962, and 1970, making him the only player to win three World Cups. This latest sale underscores the enduring legacy of the football legend and the growing market for sports memorabilia.
Article and image source: scandinaviatimes.com
