Lionel Messi is coming back to India after 14 long years. India’s Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman said on Wednesday that the 2022 World Cup winner Argentina football team will come to Kerala to play next year (2025).
Abdurahiman also said that Messi will be in the team. Initial talks have also been held with the Argentine government and the Football Association (AFA). All expenses will be borne by the Kerala government.
“The world’s No. 1 football team, Argentina, is coming to Kerala. Lionel Messi too will be here,” Abdurahiman announced on Wednesday.
Following the visit to Spain, discussions regarding a visit to India were held with the Argentine Football Association. In September or October 2025, an exhibition match might take place. As of right now, Kochi is the known location for the match. because about 60,000 people can fit in that stadium. FIFA officials are expected to visit Kerala as part of this match.
In collaboration with the Kerala government, AFA can build a Football Academy in that state. The sports minister believes that this can change the football future of the entire state.
There are many Argentinean fans in Kerala as well as other Indian states. Argentina also caught the attention of the state’s supporters during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. And after winning the World Cup, Messi’s country’s football association also thanked Kerala fans.
World Cup winner Messi last played in Kolkata, India, in 2011. Argentina played an international friendly match against Venezuela. Messi was part of that match. The match ended in a goalless draw.
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