Picture Credit: X
Football great Diego Maradona’s family has taken legal action to block the possible theft of the Argentine’s ‘Golden Ball’ trophy. According to the Associated Press, the prosecutor’s office handed over the probe to a special police unit combating trafficking in cultural property. Maradona won the trophy at the 1986 Mexico World Cup, and the trophy was missing for decades before it was found at an antique store in Paris.
The trophy is due to be sold by Aguttes Auction House in Neuilly-sur-Seine on June 6. The football great passed away at the age of 60 in 2020, and his family’s lawyers argued that the trophy is the last piece of memorabilia from his career. The trophy is expected to pay them in millions, and his five heirs are the rightful owners of the same. While the prosecutor’s office didn’t give much information, it said that it was opened after a complaint was filed.
In addition to this, Maradona’s heirs are also trying to stop the possible auction of the 1986 Golden Ball trophy received by the football great for being the best player in that World Cup edition. Notably, Maradona captained Argentina in a 3-2 win over West Germany in the 1986 final in Mexico. His trophy had been missing for decades after disappearing suddenly and has only recently resurfaced.
A decision is set to be delivered on May 30. Several rumours surfaced when Maradona’s trophy subsequently disappeared. Some say that the trophy was lost during a poker game or sold off to pay debts. Moreu, who represented Maradona’s daughters said that the family wants the sale to be banned because it belongs to them.
