This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/17/2022
This is the actual jersey that legend Diego Maradona wore for Argentina during the 1990 World Cup match vs Romania on June 18, 1990. The Argentinians entered the 1990 World Cup looking to become back-to-back championships, as they had won the 1986 World Cup. Argentina was placed in Group B for the 1990 World Cup which consisted of Cameroon, USSR and Romania. Considered one of the easiest groups, Argentina was supposed to coast and be the dominant team in the group. Unfortunately, Cameroon stunned Argentina in the first game and beat them 1-0, leaving Argentina’s tournament in serious jeopardy. After Argentina beat the USSR 2-0, Argentina had to win or draw against Romania to move forward in the tournament. The game was scoreless deep into the 2nd half when Maradona ran through the Romanian defense and found Pedro Monzon to put Argentina up 1-0. The game ended in a 1-1 draw leading Argentina to move forward into the round of 16. Argentina went on to beat Brazil, then Yugoslavia in the quarterfinals and host nation Italy in the semifinals. However, they fell to West Germany 1-0 in the World Cup Final.
The jersey has been photomatched conclusively by Resolution Photomatching. Per there letter, “A conclusive photomatch was made based on the alignment of the mesh holes with the custom stitched logos on the front of the jersey. Comparison analysis was conducted to confirm that these characteristics are unique to this specific jersey. The alignment of the stripes with the custom stitched logos on the front of the jersey and custom screened numbers on the back of the jersey were also confirmed to appear the same between the images of Maradona and the jersey pictured on the previous page. However, these characteristics were determined to not be definitively unique, so they were noted as supporting matching characteristics but not relied upon as conclusive matching characteristics. Multiple images viewed together led to the determination of a conclusive photomatch.” In the lot are photographs of Maradona playing in the Romania game, with side by side comparisons that show the matches that led to this photomatch.
For the 1990 World Cup, Argentina decided on mesh jerseys. This jersey is a size 4, with AFA logo hand embroidered on the jersey as well as the sponsor Adidas. On the back features Maradona’s number 10 in black. According to then-President of Argentine Football Association (A.F.A.) Julio Grondona, five size 3 jerseys and five size 4 Maradona jerseys were brought to Italy, but because of the size, only the size 4's were used in competition, to which this is one of five. To say this jersey is historic is an understatement. Only a handful of photomatched Maradona jerseys exist, only four are from World Cup matches. Given the history of the jersey, how without Maradona having an assist Argentina would have been eliminated from the tournament, makes this a must-have for any serious collector. The jersey comes with a Resolution Photomatching Letter of Authenticity and a Gotta Have Rock & Roll Certificate of Authenticity.