Summary
- Sotheby’s expects the 1958 World Cup final jersey worn by Pelé to fetch over $6 million USD at auction
- The blue No. 10 shirt was worn by the 17-year-old legend during the first championship win for Brazil
- Online bidding runs from June 29 to July 16 alongside a public exhibit in New York
The iconic blue No. 10 jersey worn by Pelé during the 1958 World Cup final is projected to become one of the most coveted sports artifacts ever sold. Sotheby’s estimates the historic shirt will fetch more than $6 million USD when it goes under the hammer in New York next month. This monumental auction highlights the enduring legacy of the Brazilian football icon.
A 17-year-old Pelé scored two goals in the historic 5-2 victory against host nation Sweden. That breathtaking performance secured the first World Cup title for Brazil and established the young forward as a global superstar. The match-worn garment was famously gifted by the teenage phenomenon to his roommate Didi immediately after the final whistle. The prized item remained within Didi’s family for decades before finding a home in a Brazilian sports museum.
The upcoming sale reflects a massive surge in the sports collectibles market. The very same shirt previously sold for approximately £59,000 GBP (approx. $80,000 USD) in 2004. If the piece meets the towering $6 million USD estimate, the jersey will trail only the 1986 Hand of God shirt worn by Diego Maradona and a collection of 2022 World Cup kits from Lionel Messi in total value. The auction house continues to dominate the high-end memorabilia sector. Recent offerings feature the first game-worn NBA jerseys from Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. The platform also recently auctioned the Chicago Bulls jersey worn by Michael Jordan during the legendary 1996 to 1997 championship season.
Beyond the basketball court and the football pitch, the auction powerhouse is rapidly expanding its catalog of ultra-rare athletic treasures. Notable recent events highlight the first team changing room lockers from the iconic Santiago Bernabeu Stadium of Real Madrid. The company also achieved staggering numbers with Tom Brady’s personal collection of watches and memorabilia. The Brady archive alone moved 100 percent of its lots and secured $9 million USD in total sales. The legendary 1958 finals shirt now joins this elite tier of museum-grade sporting history. Bidders and cultural enthusiasts alike will watch closely as this defining piece of the beautiful game tests the upper limits of the global auction market.
