Central Bank of Argentina proposes to have Messi’s face on thousand-peso currency note

After leading his nation’s national team to victory at the recent FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, Lionel Messi may soon appear on an Argentina banknote.

The local financial publication El Financiero reports that the Central Bank of Argentina has “jokingly offered” to put Messi’s face on the $1,000 bill.

Before you think otherwise, this option was “jokingly” suggested by members of the Argentine Central Bank, though the directors who were the most enthusiastic, like Lisandro Cleri, a devoted fan of Boca Juniors, and Eduardo Hecker, a supporter of Independiente, agreed that a banknote with this design would inspire Argentines to start collecting.

The idea also called for placing “La Scaloneta” at the note’s bank. Coach Leo Scaloni of Argentina is known by this moniker.

And on the ticket’s reverse side? They claim that the team known as “La Scaloneta” (Leonel Scaloni’s squad), who won the 2021 Copa América, the Finalissima (a match versus Italy, the most recent Euro champion), and Qatar 2022, has already earned enough merit to be memorialised there.

Additionally, the article noted that the nation has previously produced commemorative coins.

Back in 1978, when Argentina won its first World Cup, as well as for the Bicentennial and the 50^th anniversary of Eva Perón’s passing, the BCRA issued commemorative coins.

Argentina defeated reigning champions France on penalties to win their third FIFA World Cup championship, with Messi scoring twice in the game and converting twice from the penalty spot.

After Diego Maradona in 1986 and Daniel Passarella in 1978, Messi is the third captain to win the most coveted football prize. Attempting to win their third World Cup championship, France just missed out.