Tom Brady's 'Final' Touchdown Ball Was Bought For $500,000, Hours Later He Announced Comeback

Spare a thought for the person who bought Tom Brady's "final" touchdown ball for a whopping $500,000 - only to see him announce a comeback.

In an online auction, an individual provided a winning $518,628 bid for the ball the quarterback launched 55 yards to Mike Evans vs the Los Angeles Rams on January 23.

Seven-time Super Bowl winner Brady announced his retirement on February and a flurry of bids were made for the piece of history.

Jordan Gilroy, who is director of acquisitions at sports memorabilia specialists, Lelands Auctions, predicted that the iconic football would $1 million.

“Tom Brady is the GOAT and his final NFL TD pass football is one for the ages,” Gilroy said.

“It’s incredibly ironic that both his first and last ever touchdown pass footballs were tossed into the stands. The lucky person in the crowd who caught Brady’s final career TD pass ball would be in for a $1 million plus payday if they put it up for auction.”

Bidding started at $100,000 and after 23 bids, the ball was sold for exactly $518,628.

But then incredibly, just 40 days after calling it a day, Brady announced a retirement U-turn at the age of 44.

"These past two months I’ve realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands," he wrote on Twitter.

"That time will come. But it’s not now. I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family.

"They make it all possible. I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa. Unfinished business LFG."

Confirmation of the comeback came hours after the mammoth bid and has made one unidentified person look a little silly.

One would have to assume that Brady will make at least one more touchdown, effectively rendering this purchase extremely pointless.

Previously, the first touchdown ball from Brady went for $428,841.60 on Leylands - though at least the owner of that has the definitive item.

Brady and two of his children watched on as Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick against Spurs on Saturday and the two giants of their sports linked up after the game.

Many believe Ronaldo's comment to the former New England Patriots star is what inspired his swift return to the field.