The t-shirt that Pele used in the final of the World from Sweden 1958 was sold this Thursday for $4.9 million at an auction organized by Sotheby’s in New York. The garment became the most valuable object related to the career of the legendary Brazilian footballer.
The blue jersey with the number 10 on the back was the main piece of The Beautiful Game auction and started with a valuation close to six million dollars, although it was finally awarded for a slightly lower figure.
A historical memory of Pelé in the first World Cup in Brazil
Wearing that shirt, Pelé, just 17 years old, shone in Brazil’s victory over Sweden in the 1958 final. The striker scored two goals, became the youngest player to score in a World Cup and helped the Canarinha win the first of their five world titles.
The auction also brought together dozens of historical football cards and memorabilia. However, most of the collectibles sold below initial estimates, including several historical trading cards of Pelé himself.
Among the most notable objects was the captain’s armband that Diego Armando Maradona used in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, sold for $512,000. Likewise, several Lionel Messi shirts with Barcelona exceeded $100,000, although they were far from the value reached by Pelé’s historic garment.
