E Utd player Scott McTominay features on 20 pound bank notes. Are there others?
Scottish midfielder Scott McTominay has been honoured with a special edition 20 pound bank note by the Bank of Scotland, featuring his iconic overhead kick
Scottish midfielder Scott McTominay has been honoured with a special edition 20 pound bank note by the Bank of Scotland, featuring his iconic overhead kick against Denmark. The strike came in a defining moment at Hampden Park, helping Scotland secure a dramatic 4-2 win and their first World Cup qualification since 1998. The former Manchester United star, McTominay described the honour as “incredibly special,” noting that the initiative also supports Crisis, a charity working to tackle homelessness. The limited-edition note celebrates the goal’s lasting impact, turning a decisive flash of brilliance into a symbol of national pride.
skoya Kraliyet Bankas, Scott McTominay'in Danimarka'ya att rveata goln 20 sterlinlik banknotlara tad. pic.twitter.com/ZZRWeMs9JT— Ofsayt (@ofsaytcomapp) May 26, 2026 Read Full Story RARE BUT NOT UNPRECEDENTED While McTominay’s tribute has drawn attention, he is far from the first sports figure—or sporting moment—to be commemorated in currency or similar collectibles. One of the earliest examples often cited is Danish polymath Niels Bohr, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist who appeared on Danish banknotes and remains one of the most notable non-sporting figures ever featured on currency. In football culture, Dutch great Johan Cruyff was honoured by the Royal Dutch Mint with commemorative coins in 2017, reflecting his towering influence on the sport.
England icon Steven Gerrard has also appeared on collector-issued currency by the state of Alderney, while Northern Irish legend George Best was commemorated on special banknotes issued by Ulster Bank in 2006. Elsewhere, members of Australia’s 2006 World Cup squad were featured on commemorative coins issued by the Royal Australian Mint, marking a landmark moment in the nation’s football history. MESSI AND RONALDO ON CURRENCIES? Football icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have also been widely associated with currency designs, but only in unofficial or commemorative mock-ups that have gone viral online.
Both the Central Bank of Argentina and the Bank of Portugal have clarified that neither player has ever appeared on legal tender banknotes or coins in circulation. McTominay’s inclusion on the 20 pound note continues a long tradition of blending sport, national identity, and collectible art. While such honours remain rare in official currency, they highlight how iconic sporting moments can transcend the pitch and become part of cultural memory. Ends
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