A coin bearing the image of Ronaldo? Fake news

Several French media and web pages report that Portugal is preparing to launch a coin bearing the image of CR7. However, this shield had already circulated on the web in the fall without the Portuguese state deciding to implement it.

RMC Sport, Sport 365 and Foot Mercato explained on Wednesday, citing the Sportune site by 20 Minutes, that Portugal was going to honor Cristiano Ronaldo, by issuing a collector's item in his image. It is written that it will soon be developed in 25,000 copies and marketed at the price of 7.50 euros, in reference to the number worn by the player.

An expert is also included in the various articles. The latter specifies that due to “its rarity, its gold content and Ronaldo's exceptional aura in his native country”, the collector's item could one day be worth 140,000 euros. A preview of the piece is available.

This image, apparently designed by artificial intelligence, and this information had already been massively relayed all over the world a few months ago, on numerous pages dedicated to football. However at the time, Portuguese media as well as the AFP Fast Check site had established that no coin in honor of CR7 was issued or was going to be issued by the Portuguese Mint (INCM). “We are not in the process of issuing a new currency bearing the design of Cristiano Ronaldo,” explained a spokesperson for the national coin factory in September.

Has there been anything new, for example from the Banco de Portugal, as Sportune writes by 20 Minutes, taken up by Ouest-France? It seems not. There is no press release on this subject on the central bank's website, contrary to what is indicated. The information has not been relayed in recent hours by local titles either.

Are there more on the Portuguese Mint website now? She continues to show nothing about Ronaldo at the start of the year. In connection with football, there are only “Euro 2024” collector’s items. The spokesperson for the organization had, however, assured AFP that any announcement linked to currency issues was “published on official channels”.

Fans of the player and those who were already hoping to make some money with this coin will therefore have to wait…

(roc)

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