The Pitch To The Court - From Pelé to LeBron, Julien’s “Sports Legends” Brings The Greatest Athletes Memorabilia To Auction

Nearly 350 pieces spanning generations of the greatest athletes, offered in this auction, form an extraordinary collection of match-worn jerseys, historic awards, signed memorabilia, tournament programs, and personal artifacts tied to some of the most celebrated names in sports history.

From Pele, Diego Maradona, and Lionel Messi to LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Serena Williams, and Roger Maris, Sports Legends: The Pitch To The Court traces the evolution of athletic greatness through museum-worthy pieces connected to defining eras and unforgettable moments across soccer, basketball, tennis, football, and baseball. View and register for the sale now at: https://www.juliensauctions.com/en/auctions/world-cup-legends?via=press-release.

Ahead of the auction, a curated selection of highlights will be on view in an exclusive installation presented in partnership with the Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP) in Seattle from Friday, June 12th, 2026 through Sunday, July 5th, 2026. Anchored by legendary Brazilian soccer icon Pele, Icons of Soccer will feature rare artifacts from his personal collection, including a highly coveted 1962 World Cup gold medal, his 1960 passport, multiple trophies, and hand-signed memorabilia.

The exhibition also showcases match-worn jerseys from historic titan such as Diego Maradona, including his 1978 rookie-season Argentinos Juniors kit, alongside pieces tied to modern superstars Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, as well as hand-signed memorabilia from Lionel Messi. Legendary goalkeepers are represented through match-worn jerseys worn by Oliver Kahn and Manuel Neuer, while historical artifacts connected to Alfredo Di Stefano, including his 1955 Adrian Escudero tribute medal, offer a broader narrative of the sport’s rich legacy.

“At MOPOP, we’re passionate about celebrating the people, moments, and movements that leave a lasting mark on culture, and few things have the global reach and emotional power of soccer,” said Michele Y. Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Museum of Pop Culture. “We’re proud to partner with Julien’s Auctions to bring Icons of Soccer to Seattle and create an artifact spotlight that honors the legends, stories, and cultural impact of the world’s game both on and off the pitch.”

The live auction will take place Thursday, July 9th, 2026 online at Julien’s Auctions in Los Angeles, California. The sale is now available to view at: www.juliensauctions.com. Registration to bid is open online and in person on the day of the sale.

Basketball Icons

Few athletes have shaped modern sports culture as profoundly as LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. Their influence extended far beyond the court, redefining excellence, ambition, and global fandom through iconic performances, championship legacies, and an unwavering pursuit of greatness.

LeBron James | Game-Worn and Signed Rookie Year Cavaliers Jersey

(Estimated $300,000–$500,000)

A game-worn and signed Cleveland Cavaliers jersey from LeBron James’ rookie season — a defining artifact from the beginning of one of basketball’s most celebrated careers. Emerging directly from high school into the NBA spotlight, James transformed the league and became one of the most influential athletes of the 21st century.

Kobe Bryant | 1998 Game-Worn and Signed Adidas Basketball Shoes

(Estimated $10,000–$20,000)

A pair of Adidas basketball shoes game-worn and signed by Kobe Bryant during the formative years of his legendary NBA career. Bryant’s relentless competitiveness and five NBA championships cemented his place among the greatest players in basketball history.

Soccer Legends

From Pele’s World Cup triumphs to the brilliance of Diego Maradona and the modern dominance of Lionel Messi, soccer’s most iconic figures remain deeply woven into the fabric of global culture, shaping generations through moments of spectacle, passion, and history.

Pele | 1962 Brazil FIFA World Cup Gold Winner’s Medal

(Estimated $200,000–$400,000)

A gold FIFA World Cup winner’s medal presented to Pele as a member of Brazil’s 1962 World Cup Championship team. The medal represents one of the defining achievements in soccer history and reflects Brazil’s emergence as an international powerhouse during Pele’s legendary career.

Diego Maradona | Match-Worn 1978 Argentinos Juniors Rookie Year Jersey

(Estimated $10,000–$20,000)

A match-worn Argentinos Juniors jersey from Diego Maradona’s rookie year in professional soccer— a rare artifact connected to the earliest chapter of one of the sport’s most mythologized careers.

Lionel Messi | Signed Argentina Jersey

(Estimated $2,000–$3,000)

A signed Argentina jersey representing one of soccer’s most celebrated modern icons. Messi’s record-breaking achievements and World Cup triumph solidified his place among the greatest players in the history of the game.

Kylian Mbappe | Match-Worn 2022 Paris Saint-Germain Jersey

(Estimated $3,000–$5,000)

A match-worn Paris Saint-Germain jersey tied to one of soccer’s defining next-generation superstars. Mbappe continues to shape the future of the sport through his electrifying performances on the global stage.

Champions Beyond the Game

The auction also celebrates athletes whose influence expanded beyond competition, shaping culture, inspiring generations, and redefining the possibilities of sport.

Serena Williams | Match-Issued and Signed 2009 Nike Tennis Shoes

(Estimated $600-800)

A pair of Nike Air Max Mirabella tennis shoes, match-issued to Serena Williams during her landmark 2009 season and twice hand signed in black marker. That year, Williams captured Australian Open and Wimbledon singles titles while reclaiming the World No. 1 ranking, further solidifying her place among the greatest athletes in sports history.

Roger Maris | Photo-Matched 1962 Home Run Season Baseball Bat

(Estimated $4,000–$6,000)

A photo-matched baseball bat tied to Roger Maris’ historic 1962 season, following his record-breaking pursuit that reshaped baseball history and cemented his place among the sport’s enduring legends.

Sports Legends: The Pitch To The Court captures the passion, rivalry, and cultural impact of the world’s greatest athletes through artifacts directly connected to defining moments in sports history. From championship glory and record-breaking performances to personal milestones and iconic memorabilia, the collection offers fans and collectors a rare opportunity to own a piece of sporting legacy.

LIVE AUCTION

Julien's Auctions | 13007 South Western Avenue, Gardena, California 90249

“Sports Legends: The Pitch To The Court"

Thursday, July 9th, 2026

Session: 10:00 a.m. P.T.

REGISTERING TO BID

Registration is required to bid in this auction and can be done in person on the day of the auction, or online before the sale at the Julien's Auctions.

For inquiries, please email: info@juliensauctions.com. Or call: (310) 836-1818.

Placing Bids

There are four ways to bid in Live Auctions:

• Bid with Julien's Auctions online.

• Bid over the telephone through an auction house representative.

• Bid in person in the room at our auction events.

• Bid in advance by absentee bid. Absentee bid forms are available by calling: (310) 836-1818.

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