India is ready for a football moment in history this November, as global icon Lionel Messi and reigning FIFA World Cup titleholders Argentina are to travel to Kerala to play a friendly match.
Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman posted on his social media that the Argentine Football Association (AFA) has officially confirmed through an email that the World Cup-winning team will take part in an international match in Kerala during the FIFA International Match Window in November 2025.
It will be Messi and his World Cup-winning teammates' maiden visit to India, and it will create a buzz among football fans across the country, particularly in football-crazy Kerala. The state, which has been crazy about South American football for years, is bracing itself for what people are referring to as a "dream come true" moment.
The Kerala Football Association (KFA), in collaboration with the All India Football Federation (AIFF), is making final arrangements, including the choice of venue. Initial talks suggest that the game could be staged at Greenfield Stadium in the state capital.
The match will form part of Argentina's build-up prior to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Lionel Messi, who led Argentina to triumph in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, is most likely to captain the side, although the formal announcement of the squad will be nearer the match day.
The Kerala government has pledged full support to ensure smooth arrangements, covering security, crowd management, and hospitality. Tourism officials also anticipate that Messi’s visit will significantly boost Kerala’s international profile, drawing fans from across India and around the world.
For Kerala, in particular, and Indian football fans of generations, who have followed Argentina with passion ever since the days of Diego Maradona, the visit of Messi to India will be a milestone event.
Interestingly, in the past few weeks, Sports Minister Abdurahiman was criticized by Kerala's Congress party, including its state president and senior MLA Sunny Joseph, who started the hashtag 'Messi is missing' during the row.
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