Historic Pele 1958 World Cup Final Shirt Sells for $4.9 Mln
A jersey worn by Pele during the 1958 World Cup final fetched $4.9 mln at Sotheby’s on Thursday, setting a new auction record for memorabilia associated with the Brazilian football icon.
The famed yellow number 10 shirt saw intense interest from global collectors. The garment drew 10 offers from more than five individuals before the hammer finally fell. Its final price marks a massive appreciation since the kit last changed hands at a 2004 auction for £70,505, which was roughly $105,600 at the time.
A 17-year-old Pele wore the kit when he scored twice to help Brazil defeat hosts Sweden 5-2 in Stockholm. That historic victory secured the South American nation their first world title and helped erase the lingering national trauma of their unexpected 1950 tournament defeat on home soil.
A legendary performance announces a global superstar
During the 1958 final, the young forward delivered a performance that cemented his status as a generational talent. His first goal in the match remains one of the most celebrated in football history, featuring a daring flick over a Swedish defender before volleying the ball past the goalkeeper. He later sealed the victory with a looping header in the closing minutes.
At just 17 years and 249 days old, Pele established a record as the youngest player to score in a World Cup final that remains unbroken today. The tournament also birthed the legend of his number 10 shirt. Brazilian officials had famously forgotten to submit squad numbers to FIFA before the competition, leading organisers to assign them randomly. Pele received the number 10 and transformed it into the ultimate symbol of footballing excellence.
He had actually arrived in Sweden recovering from a knee injury and missed the opening two fixtures before being drafted into the starting lineup following demands from senior teammates.
Despite the astronomical sum achieved this week, the item ranks as the second-most expensive piece of football history ever auctioned. It currently trails Diego Maradona‘s «Hand of God» jersey. The Argentine wore that specific shirt against England in 1986 and it eventually sold for $9.3 mln in 2022. Across the broader sports memorabilia market, Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals jersey still holds the overall record following its $10.1 mln sale.
