Summary
- LONDON: One of football’s most treasured pieces of history is set to go under the hammer later this month, as the 1958 FIFA World Cup winners’ medal belonging to Brazilian legend Pele is expected to fetch as much as £500,000 ($670,000) at auction.
- The iconic medal, won when Pelé was just 17 years old, is among hundreds of rare football collectibles being offered in what experts describe as one of the most significant World Cup memorabilia sales ever assembled.
- Among them is the shirt worn by legendary England goalkeeper Gordon Banks when he produced his famous save against Pelé during the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.
LONDON: One of football’s most treasured pieces of history is set to go under the hammer later this month, as the 1958 FIFA World Cup winners’ medal belonging to Brazilian legend Pele is expected to fetch as much as £500,000 ($670,000) at auction.
The iconic medal, won when Pelé was just 17 years old, is among hundreds of rare football collectibles being offered in what experts describe as one of the most significant World Cup memorabilia sales ever assembled.
The auction, organized by sporting memorabilia specialists BUDDS, features around 450 World Cup-related items with an estimated combined value of £2 million. Collectors from around the world are expected to compete for pieces linked to some of football’s most unforgettable moments.
Pelé’s medal represents far more than a sporting prize. It symbolizes the beginning of a legendary career that transformed world football. In the 1958 World Cup final against host nation Sweden, the teenage sensation scored twice as Brazil secured a stunning 5-2 victory and lifted the trophy for the first time in the country’s history.
That triumph launched Brazil’s rise as a football powerhouse and marked the first of the nation’s record five World Cup titles. Pelé would go on to inspire three of those championships, earning global recognition as “The King of Football.”
Interest in Pelé memorabilia remains exceptionally high. In a separate sale, a Brazil jersey worn by Pelé during the 1958 final is expected to command more than $6 million at an auction hosted by Sotheby’s in New York.
The British auction also includes several other historic football treasures. Among them is the shirt worn by legendary England goalkeeper Gordon Banks when he produced his famous save against Pelé during the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. Collectors will also have the chance to bid on memorabilia from England’s 1966 World Cup-winning campaign, including Banks’ winners’ medal and a final-match shirt worn by Alan Ball.
Pelé, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, passed away in December 2022 at the age of 82. Yet his legacy continues to captivate football fans worldwide.
As the World Cup 2026 unfolds, these priceless artifacts serve as a reminder of the legends and moments that shaped the beautiful game, ensuring Pelé’s remarkable story remains alive for future generations.
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