Argentina is considering putting Lionel Messi on its currency

Lionel Messi could become the face of the Argentine peso as the nation's Central Bank considers ways to honour the World Cup winner.

After decades of goals, dreams, and defeat, the football legend finally raised the trophy into the air on Sunday (December 19) on behalf of his raving nation.

The 35-year-old forward was clearly thrilled to accept the sport's ultimate prize after the tense final against France in Qatar.

But, it looks like the accolades will keep on coming for Messi, with the country's Central Bank looking into putting the football star's face on the thousand peso note, according to newspaper El Financiero.

diebilderwelt / Alamy

But why that note?

Well, the figure has the number 10 in it, which is the shirt number worn by Messi.

The paper also reports that the Central Bank is contemplating popping 'La Scaloneta' on the back of the note, which is the nickname of World Cup manager Lionel Scaloni.

As per El Financiero, the idea was floated jokingly by a member of the Argentine Central Bank but banking bigwigs jumped on the idea.

Chairman Eduardo Hecker and Lisandro Cleri, who is one of the directors, agreed that the banknote design would 'awaken the collecting spirit of Argentines'.

diebilderwelt / Alamy

What a way to honour the man with the fanciest of feet.

Messi and his World Cup winning team would certainly be feeling the love from their home country either way.

The Argentinian squad returned home as heroes, with millions turning out to welcome the team back onto home soil in Buenos Aires.

The team proceeded on an open-air bus tour of the city, but that idea was soon ditched after the bus was swarmed by fans.

A few managed to jump from bridges in a fanatical attempt to get close to the national heroes.

The team ended up doing a helicopter flyover of the city instead.

Messi was later seen taking the World Cup trophy to bed and was spooning it while he slept after finally achieving his decades-long dream.

Bless his heart.

LADbible reached out to Banco Central de la República Argentina for comment.

Topics: Lionel Messi, World Cup, Football, World News

Rachel Lang

Rachel Lang is a Digital Journalist at LADbible. During her career, she has interviewed Aussie PM Malcolm Turnbull in the lead up to the 2016 federal election, ran an editorial campaign on the war in Yemen, and reported on homelessness in the lead-up to Harry and Meghan’s wedding in Windsor. She also once wrote a yarn on the cheese and wine version of Fyre Festival.

@rlangjournalist