File picture of Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrating a goal with teammates
| Photo Credit: Getty Images
After months of uncertainty surrounding Lionel Messi’s arrival in Kerala—announced and called off more than once to the dismay of football fans—Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman has officially confirmed that the Argentine legend will indeed lead his World Cup-winning team in a friendly match hosted by the State in November.
Unlike previous announcements, which drew criticism when later retracted, this time the statement was accompanied confirmation from the Argentina Football Association (AFA).
In a Facebook post on Saturday (August 23, 2025) morning, Mr. Abdurahiman stated that Messi will visit Kerala with his 2022 World Cup-winning team for a friendly match during FIFA’s international window in November.
He also shared a screenshot of the AFA’s announcement regarding the team’s two international friendlies scheduled for the remainder of 2025. It indicated that the first would be in the United States sometime between October 6 and 14, and the second would be hosted in Luanda, Angola, and Kerala between November 10 and 18. Rival teams for both sets of friendlies are yet to be announced.
The AFA announced the friendlies on its official website.
Vijayan expresses delight
Former Indian international and football legend I.M. Vijayan described Messi’s impending arrival as the biggest event that will inspire thousands of children to take up the sport, and a dream come true for millions of fans in Kerala.
He recalled an event in Delhi, which he attended shortly after Argentina’s World Cup victory, where the Chief Minister was presented with an Argentine jersey by representatives of Argentine football in recognition of Kerala’s passionate support for the team.
Ahammed Salih of the Malappuram Argentina WhatsApp Koottayma was ecstatic following the announcement, though a hint of doubt lingered due to the previous uncertainty.
“We are already planning a friendly match to mark Messi’s arrival, and a procession will be organised if permission is granted. It goes without saying that all of Malappuram will be adorned with Messi flex boards. We’ll try to watch the game live, and if that’s not possible, we’ll turn it into a grand festival here by organising a fans’ fest with a big screen,” he said.
Clarity after confusion
Initially, fans were disappointed when the itinerary released by the Argentina Football Federation (AFA) in May did not include a stop in Kerala, contrary to Mr. Abdurahiman’s announcement in November last year that the Argentina national team featuring Messi would play two exhibition matches against Japan and Qatar in Kerala in 2025. The blame was then placed on a Kochi-based company, which Mr. Abdurahiman said had an agreement with AFA and was responsible for the arrangements.
However, less than a month later, in June, Mr. Abdurahiman reignited hopes with a Facebook post titled “Messi is coming,” which he again retracted in August, blaming AFA for allegedly backing out of the promise to visit Kerala in October after accepting payment.
R. Yedhukrishnan, executive committee member of Penya del Barça—the official supporters’ club of Spanish football giant FC Barcelona, where Messi played during his peak years and won multiple titles including the Champions League—had long felt that Messi’s visit to Kerala was unrealistic.
“It’s a dream for millions, for whom Messi is like a god, and the event is going to attract unprecedented public participation. Our supporters’ club will definitely plan something to mark the occasion,” he said.
Published – August 23, 2025 11:23 am IST
