The shirt worn by Brazilian football legend Pelé during the 1958 World Cup final was sold for $4.9 million at an auction organized by Sotheby's, making it the most expensive memorabilia associated with the late star ever.

The auction house explained on Thursday that the famous shirt, which bears the number 10 and was worn by Pelé when he was 17 years old during Brazil's 5-2 victory over Sweden in Stockholm, attracted 10 bids from more than five bidders before being sold at the record price.

This final represents a historic milestone in Pelé's career, as he scored two goals and led Brazil to its first World Cup title, and he still holds the title of the youngest player to score in a World Cup final.

Despite the significant value achieved by the shirt, it ranked second among the most expensive football shirts sold at auction, behind the shirt worn by Argentine legend Diego Maradona during the match against England in the 1986 World Cup, when he scored his famous two goals, including the "Hand of God" goal, which was sold in 2022 for $9.3 million.

Sotheby's statement noted that the shirt itself had been sold at a previous auction in 2004 for £70,505 (about $105,600 at the time), reflecting the significant increase in its value over the past two decades.

Pelé passed away in 2022 at the age of 82, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy that made him one of the greatest football players in history.

The shirt worn by Brazilian football legend Pelé during the 1958 World Cup final was sold for $4.9 million at an auction organized by Sotheby's, making it the most expensive memorabilia associated with the late star ever.

The auction house explained on Thursday that the famous shirt, which bears the number 10 and was worn by Pelé when he was 17 years old during Brazil's 5-2 victory over Sweden in Stockholm, attracted 10 bids from more than five bidders before being sold at the record price.

This final represents a historic milestone in Pelé's career, as he scored two goals and led Brazil to its first World Cup title, and he still holds the title of the youngest player to score in a World Cup final.

Despite the significant value achieved by the shirt, it ranked second among the most expensive football shirts sold at auction, behind the shirt worn by Argentine legend Diego Maradona during the match against England in the 1986 World Cup, when he scored his famous two goals, including the "Hand of God" goal, which was sold in 2022 for $9.3 million.

Sotheby's statement noted that the shirt itself had been sold at a previous auction in 2004 for £70,505 (about $105,600 at the time), reflecting the significant increase in its value over the past two decades.

Pelé passed away in 2022 at the age of 82, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy that made him one of the greatest football players in history.