Argentina Football Team's Kerala Visit Canceled Due to Funding Issues
Cancellation of Argentina's Kerala Visit
The highly anticipated trip of the Argentina Football Team to Kerala has been called off, as the Kerala Football Association was unable to secure the required ₹100 crore. This visit was initially announced by V Abdurahiman, the Kerala Sports Minister, in November of the previous year, confirming that the World Cup champions would engage in two friendly matches in Kochi. HSBC India, the official partner of the football team, had also confirmed that Argentina, featuring the iconic Lionel Messi, would come to India for an exhibition match in October 2025.
Alternative Plans for Argentina
Despite the cancellation in Kerala, reports from Argentinian media indicate that the team is still expected to tour Asia, with matches likely taking place in China and Qatar. Gaston Edul, a prominent journalist known for his coverage of Argentina's matches, tweeted about two scheduled games in China for October. Previously, Sports Minister V Abdurahiman had mentioned that Messi would be arriving in Kerala during the same month.
Future Matches and Financial Challenges
Edul also hinted that after a friendly match against Angola in Africa in November, the team might head to Qatar. The Argentina Football Association reportedly has solid plans for these upcoming matches.
What Led to the Cancellation?
The Kerala Football Association needed to raise ₹100 crore to facilitate the event, with approximately ₹70 crore allocated specifically for Messi's appearance fee. The deadline for finalizing the agreement has reportedly passed, complicating the organizers' efforts to proceed. When asked about the situation, Sports Minister V Abdurahiman stated that sponsors would address the issue.
Messi's first visit to India occurred in September 2011 when he played a World Cup qualifying match against Venezuela in Kolkata, where Argentina triumphed 1-0 at the renowned Salt Lake Stadium. This would have marked his second visit to India and his first to Kerala, a region where he is celebrated.