Sports

Pictorial: Argentina Considers Putting Messi’s Face On Banknote

Published

3 years ago

December 22, 2022

After the talismanic forward guided Argentina to their first World Cup win since 1986 in Mexico, Lionel Messi has been at the centre of discussions to have his face put onto a new 1,000 peso bill, Daily Mail reports.

According to a local newspaper, El Financiero, the Central Bank of the Republic of Argentina is eager to mark the national team’s historic win in Qatar and has been working on ideas since before the epic 4-2 shootout win in the final over France.

Mock-ups of the 1,000 peso note being discussed have since gone viral – with fans eager to see it enter circulation.

While Messi’s grinning face is on one side of the note, this group’s nickname ‘La Scaloneta’ is the wording proposed for the back.

The term has become synonymous with this group since Lionel Scaloni succeeded Jorge Sampaoli back in 2018.

Under Scaloni’s reign, Argentina have gone on to win the 2021 Copa America, the first-ever Finalissima at Wembley Stadium and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

If officials at the bank press on with their plan to release the note – which they believe would become highly collectable for Argentinian civilians – it would not be their first venture of crossing currency with the national team.

They previously issued commemorative coins when Argentina won its first World Cup back in 1978.

Commemorative coins were also produced on the 50th anniversary of the death of Eva Perón, the former First Lady of Argentina.

See the photos below:

Credit: PUNCH

Sports

CRASH: Anthony Joshua Opens Up On Friends’ Death

Published

24 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

Former world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, has said the death of his two friends posed a tough time for him.

Recall that a car conveying the boxer earlier this month, rammed into a stationary truck along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The accident claimed that lives of his personal trainer, Kevin Latif Ayodele, and his strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami.

In a post on his verified Facebook page on Thursday, the former heavyweight champion said it was tough for him.

Joshua acknowledged that the incident was “even tougher” for the parents of the deceased.

He wrote, “Thank you for all the love and care you have shown my brothers. I didn’t even realise how special they are.

“I’ll just be walking with them and cracking jokes with them, not even knowing God kept me in the presence of great men.

“100% it’s tough for me, but I know it’s even tougher for their parents. I have a strong mind, and I believe God knows their hearts. May God have mercy on my brothers.”

Sports

NPFL: Kano Pillars Sack Two Players

Published

24 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

Kano Pillars have announced the departure of the duo of Umar Sani Yakasai Samuel Tiza.

Yakasai and Tiza’s contracts were terminated by the Kano-based club.

The Sai Masu Gida confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday.

“Kano Pillars FC wishes to announce that, following a mutual understanding, the club have amicably parted ways with striker Samuel Tiza and midfielder Umar Sani Yakasai,” Kano Pillars wrote in a statement confirming the players departure.

“Both players will now continue their careers elsewhere ahead of the second stanza of the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League season.”

Kano Pillars is expected to make up for their departure with the signing of new players.

Sports

AFCON: It’s Not Possible – NSC On Super Eagles Players Requesting Cash Payment

Published

24 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Shehu Dikko, has insisted that it is not possible to pay the Super Eagles of Nigeria their match bonus in cash.

Dikko stated this while clarifying the situation about Super Eagles match bonuses following reports of players threatening to boycott training and refusing to travel to Marrakech for Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, quarter-final clash against Algeria on Saturday.

He spoke on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.

“Clearly, the players requested whether they could get some of these in cash, and they were told it’s not possible,” Dikko said.

“These bonuses are not paid in cash; they have to be paid through the bank, which is the normal procedure.

“The only ones they agreed to pay in cash are the daily allowances.”

The Super Eagles progressed to the last-8 after humiliating Mozambique 4-0 in the AFCON Round of 16.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Finance, Doris Nkiruka-Anite, had earlier disclosed that the Super Eagles players will start receiving their bonus money alerts today or tomorrow before the Algeria clash.