Hoax – The Central Bank of [Country Name] will launch a limited edition of R$9 notes in honor of Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima before the next World Cup.
Analysis
The atmosphere of the 2026 World Cup is starting to dominate the news and social media, especially after the first steps towards organizing the event. Amidst this enthusiasm, the name of one of the greatest football legends, Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, the Phenomenon, has once again circulated prominently, but for a quite unusual reason: the alleged launch of a new currency note in his honor.
The information that has been circulating in message inboxes and online groups suggests that the Central Bank of [Country Name] (BC) would be preparing a limited edition of a R$9 note, which would be launched specifically before the World Cup. This alleged commemorative note, according to the rumor, would celebrate the figure of the former player and his legacy, capitalizing on the wave of patriotism and passion for the sport. Read:
The Central Bank of [Country Name] will launch a limited edition of [Currency Name] notes before the next World Cup, in honor of the great Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, The Phenomenon.
Fact Check
The image of a banknote with Ronaldo’s face and the number 9 stamped on it has been the main element lending credibility to the content. Given the repercussion of this supposed tribute, three crucial points need to be analyzed to determine the veracity of the information: 1) Will the Central Bank launch an R$9 note featuring Ronaldo Fenômeno before the World Cup? 2) How was the image of the R$9 note featuring Ronaldo Fenômeno in honor of the World Cup made? 3) Are there other fake news stories about Central Bank notes?
Will the Central Bank launch an R$9 note featuring Ronaldo Fenômeno before the World Cup?
A thorough search on the official communication channels of the Central Bank and in announcements from the Mint, responsible for manufacturing banknotes, reveals no plan or announcement about the launch of an R$9 note.
In the country, the currency is issued in denominations of R$2, R$5, R$10, R$20, R$50, R$100, and R$200. Adding a new R$9 note, besides not following the established standard, would require clear and broad official communication, which simply has not occurred.
Additionally, commemorative notes launched by the Central Bank generally have an existing face value, such as the R$10 note launched in 2000 in honor of a historic national milestone.
How was the image of the R$9 note featuring Ronaldo Fenômeno in honor of the World Cup made?
The image that went viral, displaying Ronaldo’s face on a banknote with the value of R$9, is, in fact, a digital creation. Analysis of the image shows characteristics typical of art generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI), a tool increasingly used for the production of fanciful visual content.
The composition and design, although they imitate elements of the national currency, such as the font style and some security details, do not present the precision and watermarks of an official banknote. In short, the hoax is based on a piece of visual “deepfake,” created to entertain or deceive, but with no relation to the reality of the monetary policy of the country.
Are there other fake news stories about Central Bank notes?
Yes. False stories involving the Central Bank and new banknotes are a recurring theme in disinformation globally. The popular appeal of money and curiosity about possible changes in the national currency make the Central Bank a frequent target of rumors. On previous occasions, the site has already debunked the circulation of an alleged R$500 note with the image of a sloths.
Other lies include the claim that the message “Goku be praised” would have been printed on banknotes or even the international rumor that England would launch 10-pound notes with Ayrton Senna. These examples reinforce that the supposed tribute to Ronaldo Fenômeno is just another piece in the vast history of misinformation about money worldwide.
Conclusion
The message circulating on social media about the Central Bank launching an R$9 note in honor of Ronaldo Fenômeno is untrue. The story lacks any official confirmation from the national monetary institutions, and the banknote itself does not exist in the standard currency pattern. The image accompanying the hoax is an artificial creation, likely generated by Artificial Intelligence, exploiting the popular theme of the World Cup and the figure of the former player. This is just another recurring rumor that uses the theme of banknotes to deceive online users.
Fake news ❌
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