A shirt worn by Pelé during the 1958 World Cup final sold for $4.9 million (£3.6 million) at a Sotheby’s auction in New York.

It is the second most valuable football shirt sold behind the Argentina shirt worn by Diego Maradona when he scored the ‘Hand of God’ goal against England in the 1986 World Cup, which sold for £7.1 million in 2022.

Having received a total of 10 bids from more than five bidders, Pelé’s 1958 final shirt is the most valuable piece of memorabilia ever sold at auction.

This same shirt sold in 2004 for $105,600 (£70,505).

Pelé scored two goals against Sweden when he was 17 in the 1958 World Cup final to win the first of his three World Cups.

He still holds the record for the youngest player to score in a World Cup final.

“Today’s result is a powerful testament to the lasting legacy of one of the greatest footballers of all time,” said Brendan Hawkes, director of sports strategy and development at Sotheby’s.

“This shirt is not only a lasting reminder of one of the most important moments in football history, but is primarily linked to the moment that catapulted Pelé into a global sporting icon.”

Other items sold at ‘The Beautiful Game’ auction on Thursday included the captain’s armband worn by Maradona during the 1986 World Cup, including when he scored the ‘Hand of God’ goal against England, which sold for $512,000 (£380,000).

A shirt worn by Lionel Messi during Barcelona’s spectacular 6-1 comeback victory over Paris St-Germain in the Champions League last 16 in 2017 sold for $217,600 (£161,482), while David Beckham’s shirt from his 50th cap for England at the 2002 World Cup sold for $51,200 (£37,996).