1977 Crack Futbol Campeonato Maradona #11 PSA 6

The 1977 Crack Futbol Campeonato #11 Disc with a headshot of young Diego as a member of the Argentinos Juniors is among the rarest of all vintage soccer cards, with a total of 88 examples encapsulated by PSA. The challenge in finding one with even decent eye appeal can be painstaking as these tiny round, hand-cut pieces of cardboard hardly ever turn out smooth and blemish-free. Thus, there are just eight copies above NM-MT 6.

When Diego Maradona died in December 2020 at age 60, a piece of soccer went along with him. A thrilling, yet controversial, standout, Maradona was internationally recognized as one of the finest soccer players in the history of the sport. From his “Hand of God” goal on the way to Argentina’s 1986 World Cup title to his nine club championships, Maradona was fondly remembered as a winner all around the world. “It is a very sad day for all Argentines and for football,” Barcelona’s Lionel Messi wrote on Instagram. “He is leaving us, but he is not going, because Diego is eternal. I will hold close all the beautiful moments I have lived with him.” “Today I say goodbye to a friend, and the world says goodbye to an eternal genius,” Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo shared. “One of the best ever. An unparalleled magician. He leaves too soon but leaves a legacy without limits and a void that will never be filled.”    “One day,” tweeted Brazilian legend Pelé, “I hope we can play soccer together in the sky.” Even NBA stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Dončić chimed in with tributes to the 1986 World Cup Golden Ball winner, proving that Maradona’s influence was much larger than his diminutive 5-foot-5 frame. He began his professional career in 1976 with the Argentinos Juniors, and by 1982 had gone to Europe to play primarily for Barcelona and SSC Napoli,  leading the proud Italian club to its first two Serie A titles in team history. All the while, he helped Argentina to four straight World Cup appearances from 1982 to ‘94.

A legend in Argentina and throughout the world, Maradona remains one of the most revered athletes in soccer history.