Lionel Messi to play in Kerala? state minister confirms Argentina visit

Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman has officially confirmed that the Argentina national football team, captained by global football icon Lionel Messi, will visit Kerala later this year. The highly anticipated visit remains on schedule following the resolution of financial matters surrounding the proposed friendly match.

Financial hurdles cleared

Addressing the media on Saturday, Minister Abdurahiman announced that the monetary concerns which had caused uncertainty around the event have now been addressed.

The sponsor has paid the amount now. There is no other obstacles in this regard, he said.

The friendly is expected to be held during the October-November FIFA window, the period designated for international fixtures.

Match date awaiting confirmation

Although the precise date of the match has yet to be finalised, it will be officially announced soon through a joint statement by the Argentina Football Association (AFA) and event sponsor Reporter Broadcasting Company. This follows the confirmation that all contractual obligations have been fulfilled.

The sponsors said they settled the contract amount to be paid before the match. The government has no connection with any financial dealings in this regard. The contract is between the sponsor and the team management, the minister clarified.

A state-wide celebration in the making

The visiting Argentine squad, reigning FIFA World Cup champions, will be treated as state guests during their stay in Kerala. The government will handle security, accommodation, and all logistical support. The Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, which meets global standards, is the likely venue for this high-profile match.

Clearing the air

The minister’s announcement comes after months of media speculation, with some reports suggesting Argentina had withdrawn from the tour over unresolved contractual issues. Both the Kerala government and Reporter Broadcasting Company have consistently refuted such claims.

Adding to the excitement, Minister Abdurahiman took to Facebook on Friday with a post that simply read: 'Messi will come'. He also thanked Reporter Broadcasting Company for their commitment in ensuring the event goes forward as planned.

A game-changer for Kerala sports

The only objective of the government is to instill fresh hopes in the state sports sector by bringing the world champions,

Abdurahiman noted, underlining the broader vision behind hosting the international football giants.

If everything proceeds as expected, Kerala is set to host one of its most historic sporting events, featuring Lionel Messi and the world champions, later this year.