OFFICIAL: Portugal issues a ruling regarding the printing of Ronaldo currency

A rumor about a 7 Euro banknote featuring Cristiano Ronaldo has spread worldwide, prompting the Central Bank of Portugal to publicly deny it ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s global appeal has long extended beyond the realm of football. When the 2026 World Cup approaches, that appeal is elevated to a new level. Entering the tournament as one of the most influential icons in football history, Portugal’s national team becomes the center of attention, especially following the story about a 7 Euro note allegedly issued to honor Ronaldo.

This strange piece of information quickly drove fans worldwide into a frenzy. However, the big question remains: is it true? This mystery, connected to Portugal’s preparations for the upcoming World Cup, sparked widespread speculation and ultimately forced the Central Bank of Portugal to make an official statement.

“The Central Bank of Portugal has noticed false posts on social media claiming that a 7 Euro banknote honoring Cristiano Ronaldo will be issued. The bank has never issued, circulated, nor does it plan to issue any banknote featuring an individual’s image.”

The statement further emphasized that all Euro currency must be issued within the Eurosystem framework, which does not permit personalized currency for public circulation. The bank added: “To clarify, the Central Bank of Portugal neither issues nor circulates, and has no plans to issue or circulate any banknotes related to the mentioned individual.”

In other words, Portugal has not created any Ronaldo banknotes, whether commemorative or otherwise. All images circulating online are counterfeit, and the entire story regarding the design or release date is baseless.

The story began on social media, where many posts claimed that the Central Bank of Portugal was preparing to release a commemorative 7 Euro note to honor Cristiano Ronaldo. Some versions even showed prototype images featuring Ronaldo’s portrait alongside his famous slogan “Siuuu.” Many sources suggested this would be a collectible item, not for circulation, issued right before the 2026 World Cup.

This information quickly spread. Numerous international media outlets picked up the story, linking it to Portugal’s desire to honor the “greatest football ambassador” of the nation, implying it as a tribute ahead of what might be Ronaldo’s final World Cup. According to Marca, this idea was described as an initiative to “celebrate a legacy beyond football” and elevate CR7 to the status of a national cultural icon, something many believe he deserves.

This rumor fits the context described by Portuguese media as “Bichomania,” referring to the nation’s passionate excitement as Ronaldo enters the final chapter of his career. With hopes that the team will make a final push for the world championship, a commemorative banknote seemed plausible. But the major issue is: none of it is true.

The Central Bank’s need to respond was necessary, not only due to the rumor’s wide spread but also because a similar fake story appeared about a banknote supposedly featuring Lionel Messi. Both became part of a wave of digitally altered “commemorative currency” falsely presented as official state-issued money.

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