Pele's 1958 World Cup Shirt Sells for $4.9 Million

A shirt worn by Brazilian football icon Pele during the 1958 World Cup final has sold for $4.9 million (£3.6 million) at a Sotheby's auction held in New York. The auction house confirmed the sale on Wednesday, marking a significant price for a piece of sporting memorabilia.

The 1958 World Cup was a pivotal moment in Pele's career, as he made his debut in the tournament at the age of 17. He scored two goals in the final against Sweden, helping Brazil secure their first World Cup title with a 5-2 victory. This performance cemented his status as a global superstar.

The shirt, a blue jersey with the number 10 on the back, was previously owned by a private collector. Sotheby's had estimated the shirt would sell for between $3 million and $5 million, with the final bid exceeding the lower end of that range.

This sale underscores the enduring legacy of Pele and the high value placed on artifacts associated with legendary athletes. The previous record for a sports jersey sold at auction was held by a Babe Ruth baseball jersey, which sold for $5.6 million in 2019. However, Pele's 1958 shirt now stands as one of the most expensive pieces of sports memorabilia ever sold.