Pelé's 1958 World Cup final jersey sold for a record-breaking $4.9 million.

The jersey worn by Brazilian football legend Pelé in the 1958 World Cup final was successfully sold at auction in New York for $4.9 million (approximately the highest price on the current auction market).

Sotheby's, the auction house that hosted the sale, stated that the jersey has officially become the most expensive personal memorabilia item ever sold by Pelé. The item attracted 10 intense bids from more than five bidders during the auction.

The reason this jersey possesses such astonishing rarity and commercial value lies entirely in the great historical moment it represents. Pelé, the football legend who passed away in 2022, was only 17 years old when he made his debut in the 1958 World Cup final, where Brazil defeated the host nation Sweden 5-2.

Pelé scored twice in that final match, and still holds the record for the youngest goalscorer in World Cup final history, successfully helping Brazil lift their first-ever World Cup trophy.

Sotheby's commented that the footage of this final has become one of the most reproduced classic images in the history of world sports, and this jersey is a direct witness to history.

According to records, the jersey was auctioned in 2004 for only £70,505 (about US$105,600). Its value has increased dozens of times in the past two decades.

While this sale broke the auction record for Pelé's personal items, there are still other high points on the overall list of sports memorabilia. The current record for the most expensive sports memorabilia is held by the jersey worn by baseball legend Babe Ruth in the 1932 World Series, which sold for a staggering $24.1 million in 2024.

In addition, Michael Jordan's 1998 NBA Finals jersey and Diego Maradona's 1986 World Cup jersey against England also fetched high prices of $10.1 million and $9.2 million respectively.

Image source: Internet