Pelé’s ₹47 crore shirt sold: But Maradona still holds the record

$1 = ₹96.34, the converted prices
 
Jersey Fortune

A football shirt worn by a 17-year-old Pelé during Brazil’s historic 1958 World Cup final has turned into a ₹47.21 crore ($4.9 million) collectible. The No. 10 jersey, sold by Sotheby’s, is now the second-most expensive football shirt ever auctioned.

Maradona Record

Pelé’s legendary jersey may have crossed ₹47 crore ($4.9 million), but Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” shirt still sits at the top. The Argentina icon’s 1986 World Cup quarter-final jersey fetched ₹89.60 crore ($9.3 million) in 2022, making it football’s costliest piece of memorabilia.

Teenage Miracle

The shirt represents the moment a teenage Pelé became a global sensation. At just 17, he scored twice in Brazil’s 5-2 win over Sweden in the 1958 World Cup final, becoming the youngest player to score in a World Cup final.

Hidden Journey

Before becoming a ₹47.21 crore ($4.9 million) auction treasure, Pelé’s jersey spent decades away from the spotlight. After Brazil’s 1958 triumph, he gifted the handmade shirt to teammate Dida, whose family preserved it before it eventually reached collectors.

Three Crowns

The value of Pelé’s shirt comes from more than one match. The Brazilian legend remains the only footballer to win three FIFA World Cups — in 1958, 1962 and 1970 — creating a legacy that continues to drive the value of his memorabilia.