A jersey worn by Brazilian football legend Pele during the 1958 FIFA World Cup final has been sold for an astonishing $4.9 million at an auction in New York, making it the second most expensive football shirt ever sold.
The iconic blue Brazil jersey, worn during the country’s historic triumph over Sweden, attracted intense bidding before an anonymous buyer secured the priceless piece of football history at a Sotheby’s auction on Thursday.
Pele was just 17 years old when he announced himself to the world by scoring two goals in Brazil’s 5-2 victory over Sweden in the 1958 FIFA World Cup final.
His remarkable performance helped Brazil lift its first-ever FIFA World Cup trophy, marking the beginning of one of the greatest careers in football history.
The victory also launched Brazil’s rise as a global football powerhouse and cemented Pele’s status as one of the sport’s greatest icons.
The sale price of $4.9 million places Pele’s jersey among the most valuable pieces of sports memorabilia ever auctioned.
Only one football shirt has sold for a higher amount—the famous Diego Maradona jersey worn during Argentina’s dramatic 1986 FIFA World Cup quarter-final against England.
That shirt fetched a record $9.3 million, largely due to its association with Maradona’s legendary “Hand of God” goal and his unforgettable solo effort in the same match.
Pele, affectionately known as “The King”, went on to become the only player in history to win three FIFA World Cup titles (1958, 1962 and 1970), a record that still stands.
His exploits transformed football into a truly global sport and inspired generations of players around the world.
The record-breaking auction highlights the enduring legacy of the Brazilian icon, whose memorabilia continues to command enormous value decades after his legendary career.
The latest sale also reflects the growing demand among collectors for rare sporting artefacts associated with football’s greatest players and the most memorable moments in World Cup history.
