Pele’s 1958 World Cup shirt sells for $4.9 million at Sotheby’s
The white jersey worn by Edson Arantes do Nascimento during Brazil’s 1958 final victory over Sweden has fetched $4.9 million, surpassing its previous sale price but remaining well below the current record for sporting collectibles.
A white shirt worn by Brazilian football icon Pele during the 1958 World Cup final has sold for $4.9 million, setting a new record for memorabilia associated with the late legend. The auction, facilitated by Sotheby’s in New York on Thursday, attracted 10 bids from more than five participants, marking a significant appreciation in value for the garment.
The shirt holds particular historical weight as it was worn when Pele scored two goals in Brazil’s 5-2 victory over hosts Sweden. At 17 years old, Edson Arantes do Nascimento became the youngest player to score in a World Cup final, a milestone that helped secure Brazil’s first World Cup title. Sotheby’s noted that images from this match are among the most reproduced in the sport’s history, with the physical artefact serving as a direct link to that moment.
This sale represents a substantial increase from the shirt’s previous auction performance. In 2004, the item sold for 70,505 pounds, approximately $105,600. Pele, who passed away in 2022, remains one of the most iconic figures in global football, and this transaction underscores the enduring market demand for items linked to his career.
Despite the high figure, the sale is considerably lower than the current record for sporting memorabilia. That distinction belongs to a baseball jersey worn by Babe Ruth, which sold for $24.1 million in 2024. Other high-value athletic items include Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals jersey, which fetched $10.1 million, and Diego Maradona’s 1986 World Cup quarterfinal jersey, which sold for $9.2 million according to auctioneers Bonhams.
The auction occurred amidst ongoing coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Argentina having recently advanced to the final after defeating England. While the current tournament dominates the sporting landscape, the sale of Pele’s shirt highlights the continued commercial and historical significance of legacy events in football.
