(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – Following his success in leading Argentina’s national team to victory at the recent FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, Lionel Messi may soon feature on a currency note in Argentina.
According to the regional financial weekly El Financiero, the Central Bank of Argentina has “jokingly offered” to put “Messi’s face on the thousand-peso note.”
The most enthusiastic directors, including Lisandro Cleri, a devoted fan of Boca Juniors, and Eduardo Hecker, a supporter of Independiente, agreed that a banknote with this design would awaken the collecting spirit of Argentines, according to El Financiero. However, before you think otherwise, this option was “jokingly” proposed by members of the Argentine Central Bank.
Additionally, the plan suggested placing “La Scaloneta” at the note’s bank. Leo Scaloni, the coach of Argentina, is known for this moniker.
“And on the back of the ticket? ‘La Scaloneta’ (the nickname of the team led by Leonel Scaloni), they say, has already done enough merit to be immortalized there, this after their victories in the 2021 Copa América, the Finalissima (the match against Italy, the most recent champion of the Euro) and Qatar 2022,” reported the newspaper.
The report also mentioned 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 50th anniversary of Eva Perón’s passing, the BCRA issued commemorative coins.
Argentina defeated the 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.
