• Choosing the “10 Peso” denomination is economically illogical due to the currency’s low real value

Social media platforms recently buzzed with professional-looking images of banknotes featuring football legends: Argentine Lionel Messi (10 pesos) and Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo (7 euros).

Upon closer inspection, both designs fall under the category of “concept digital art” and carry no legal tender status.

Digital dreams: Why Messi and Ronaldo’s currencies don’t exist in reality

Issuing these banknotes faces legal and economic obstacles:

Messi note (10 pesos): El Financiero reported “joking” discussions within the Argentine central bank about placing Messi’s image on the 1,000-peso note after the

2022 World Cup, but no official decision was made.

Moreover, choosing the 10-peso denomination is economically illogical given the low real value of the currency.

Ronaldo note (7 euros): This design clashes with strict European Central Bank rules, which prohibit placing real people or national symbols on banknotes to avoid favoritism toward any country.

Additionally, there is no 7-euro denomination in the European monetary system.

Rare cases of honoring athletes on official currency Although Messi and Ronaldo’s banknotes are fictional, history preserves rare instances of athletes appearing on official or commemorative currency:

• Fiji (2017): Fiji issued a legal 7-dollar note to commemorate its rugby team’s first Olympic gold medal (Rio 2016).

• Ireland (2006): Bank of Ulster issued one million 5-pound notes featuring the late George Best.

• Roger Federer (2020): Switzerland broke its tradition by issuing silver and gold commemorative coins bearing tennis legend Roger Federer’s image, making him the first living person to appear on official Swiss currency.

Why financial institutions avoid images of living celebrities

Major financial institutions avoid placing living celebrities on currency for three main reasons:

• Neutrality: Keeping national currency free from political or social controversy.

• Risk: Avoiding future scandals that could harm the state’s image or the symbolic value of its currency.

• Stability: Currency requires historically established symbols, while sporting fame can be fleeting.