Pele’s 1958 World Cup Shirt Sells For $4.9 Million

The iconic Brazil shirt worn by football legend Pele during the 1958 FIFA World Cup final has been sold for $4.9 million at auction, making it the most valuable piece of memorabilia associated with the three-time World Cup winner.

According to Sotheby’s, the famous number 10 shirt was worn by a 17-year-old Pele as Brazil defeated hosts Sweden 5-2 in Stockholm to secure the country’s first-ever FIFA World Cup title. During the final, Pele scored twice and became the youngest player to score in a World Cup final, a record that still stands today. The Pele World Cup Shirt attracted 10 bids from more than five bidders during the auction.

The sale also ranks as the second-most expensive football shirt ever sold at auction. Only the shirt worn by Diego Maradona during Argentina’s 1986 World Cup quarter-final victory over England, in which he scored the famous “Hand of God” goal, has fetched a higher price. That shirt sold for $9.3 million in 2022.

Pele, who passed away in 2022 at the age of 82, remains one of football’s greatest icons. His achievements on the international stage continue to inspire generations of players and supporters around the world. The latest sale highlights the enduring historical and emotional value attached to his remarkable career.

Interestingly, the Pele World Cup Shirt was previously sold at auction in 2004 for 70,505 pounds ($105,600). Its dramatic rise in value over the past two decades reflects the growing demand for rare football memorabilia and the lasting legacy of one of the sport’s greatest players. The Pele World Cup Shirt remains a treasured symbol of a defining moment in football history.

What piece of football memorabilia do you believe deserves to be valued alongside Pele’s famous World Cup shirt?