A FIFA World Cup jersey worn by Pelé sold for 70 times its estimated value at auction, while a ticket from the inaugural 1930 World Cup final fetched £4,200 in a separate sale.

Auctioneers said they were stunned by the soaring prices. They believe the excitement surrounding the current World Cup has helped fuel demand for football memorabilia, particularly with England reaching the Round of 32.

The Pelé jersey, believed to have been worn during either the 1966 or 1970 FIFA World Cup, had been valued at £600-£800 but eventually sold for £42,000.

David Convery, Head of Sports Memorabilia at BUDDS Auction House, said:

"Selling a World Cup jersey worn by Pelé for 70 times its estimate is a truly remarkable moment. It shows just how enormous his influence on football remains, and how that legacy continues to resonate with fans today. People are willing to pay extraordinary sums to own a genuine piece of Pelé's history."

Speaking about the 1930 World Cup final ticket, Convery added:

"Paying £4,200 for a small piece of paper may sound like a lot, but that ticket represents the beginning of football's greatest story. Imagine being there for the very first World Cup final. Fortunately, its original owner recognised its historical importance and preserved it so carefully. I often wonder what they would think if they knew it would sell for thousands of pounds nearly a century later."

He continued:

"The World Cup is one of the very few sporting events capable of bringing an entire nation to a standstill, and that emotional connection doesn't disappear when the final whistle blows. Every four years, a new generation falls in love with the tournament, while older fans enjoy reliving their most treasured football memories. That's exactly what we witnessed at yesterday's auction."

Meanwhile, a jersey worn by David Beckham when he was sent off while playing for England sold for £26,000.

Beckham became the first player in history to be sent off twice while representing the Three Lions. His second dismissal came during England's match against Austria at Old Trafford in 2005. However, he is more famously remembered for his red card against Argentina at the 1998 FIFA World Cup after kicking Diego Simeone. Both the shirt he wore in the first half and the one he changed into after half-time from the Austria match have now been sold.

Convery said:

"David Beckham remains one of the most sought-after names in the football memorabilia market. These two shirts represent one of the most fascinating chapters of his England career, even if it's probably the one he'd least like to revisit. Bringing together both shirts from the same international match is exceptionally rare, especially when that game is remembered as such a significant moment in English football history. From the visible signs of match wear to the undeniable authenticity they carry, these are exactly the kinds of items collectors dream of owning."

Beckham was sent off on 8 October 2005 during England's 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Austria at Old Trafford in Manchester, becoming the first England captain ever to receive a red card. Both Beckham and England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson described the decision as "harsh," while even Austria's head coach admitted the dismissal appeared to be the wrong call.