The 5 Most Expensive Football Shirts Ever Sold

Football shirts have become more than just sports apparel; they are coveted collectibles tied to unforgettable moments in soccer history. While many fans purchase replica jerseys to showcase their support, match-worn shirts are in a league of their own—often fetching eye-watering sums at auction. Here’s a look at the top five most expensive football shirts ever sold and the stories that make them priceless.

5. Cristiano Ronaldo – £39,000

Cristiano Ronaldo’s final Manchester United shirt from his second stint at the club was auctioned for £39,000 in November 2022. Despite the match being a 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa, and his time at United ending with controversy following an interview with Piers Morgan, the away kit still commanded a significant sum. The shirt, worn when Ronaldo captained the team, reflects his enduring legacy as one of football’s all-time greats, with 145 goals in 346 appearances for the Red Devils.

4. Sir Geoff Hurst – £91,750

Sir Geoff Hurst’s 1966 World Cup final shirt became the most expensive football jersey in the world when it was auctioned for £91,750 in September 2000. Worn during England’s 4-2 triumph over West Germany, where Hurst scored a historic hat-trick, the jersey remains a symbol of England’s only World Cup victory. The buyer, a collector from West London, bid by phone while attending the Sydney Olympics and described the purchase as the crown jewel of their collection.

3. Pelé – £157,750

Pelé’s iconic 1970 World Cup final shirt, worn during Brazil’s 4-1 victory over Italy, sold for £157,750 in 2002. The legendary forward scored the opening goal in the final and cemented his place as one of the greatest footballers of all time. The shirt was purchased anonymously at more than triple its expected value. Pelé recounted how, after the final whistle, eager fans stripped him of his entire kit in mere seconds—a testament to his monumental impact on the sport.

2. Lionel Messi – £6.1 million

Lionel Messi’s historic World Cup triumph with Argentina in 2022 saw six of his match-worn shirts from the tournament auctioned for a staggering £6.1 million. This set the record for the highest amount ever paid for sports memorabilia at the time. Messi’s World Cup victory marked the pinnacle of an illustrious career, and demand for any item linked to that success skyrocketed. A portion of the proceeds was donated to a Barcelona children’s hospital, showing Messi’s continued commitment to charitable causes.

1. Diego Maradona – £7.1 million

Topping the list is Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” shirt, worn during Argentina’s 1986 World Cup quarter-final against England. The jersey, famous for both the controversial handball goal and Maradona’s stunning solo effort widely regarded as one of the greatest goals of all time, sold for £7.1 million in 2022. This shirt, a piece of football folklore, remains the most expensive football jersey ever sold and symbolizes Maradona’s unmatched genius and his complicated legacy.

These five shirts aren’t just expensive—they are tangible pieces of football history, each tied to defining moments that transcend the sport itself. Collectors worldwide are willing to pay handsomely for the opportunity to own a slice of soccer’s most legendary stories.