Lionel Messi’s much-anticipated visit to Kerala for a friendly match between Argentina and Australia has spiralled into confusion, conflicting statements, and administrative setbacks. What was once billed as a dream event for India’s football-obsessed state now stands shrouded in uncertainty. La Nación, the Spanish media outlet, reported that Argentina’s football team's visit to Kerala has been cancelled, citing the hosts' failure to meet certain required conditions.
From invitation to international deal
The saga started in December 2022, when Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman officially invited Lionel Messi and the Argentina national team following their World Cup victory. By September 2024, even the minister had gone to Spain, expending Rs 13 lakh of state money to seal negotiations with Argentina Football Association (AFA) officials, the Financial Express reported.
The development escalated further when Reporter Broadcasting's managing director, Anto Augustine, stated that his organisation had deposited Rs 130 crore in the account of the AFA to get Messi to visit. The match was first timed for October or November 2025, generating widespread hype throughout Kerala.
Delays, doubts, and the drama behind Messi’s Kerala visit
As the year 2025 progressed, things started going awry. News of weather issues, fixture conflicts, and administrative errors emerged. According to Financial Express, rumours emerged by mid-year that the match could be moved to March 2026. In an unexpected turn, Minister Abdurahiman announced in July that the Argentina team would not travel to Kerala, blaming the AFA for violating deals. The AFA retaliated by accusing Kerala of not fulfilling contractual requirements.
Just as optimism had been lost, hope dawned again in August 2025 when the AFA reaffirmed the friendly match for November 17 in Kochi. But the relief was temporary. Spanish newspaper La Nación subsequently reported that the tour had once more been cancelled because Kerala had failed to fulfil the necessary conditions.
Confusion and hope: Will Messi come to Kerala?
Even now, stakeholders remain divided. Financial Express reported that while Augustine insists the match will go ahead as planned with Messi, Lautaro Martínez, and Emiliano Martínez in the lineup, officials from the Kerala Sports Ministry are less certain. One senior official told The Indian Express, “We are happy to welcome the Argentina and Australia football teams to Kochi for the friendly match on November 17. However, we are not yet sure if Lionel Messi himself will be part of the squad. That decision rests with him.”
Despite the confusion, Kochi authorities are going ahead with preparations for the huge event, as reported by Financial Express. Kochi City Police Commissioner Putta, appointed to oversee the security measures, told The Indian Express, “We are expecting nearly 50,000 people at the stadium. Only those with tickets will be allowed near the stadium. We are planning to use technology like CCTV cameras and drones to monitor the situation. There will also be barricades and other security measures in place.”
