Messi-led Argentina to play in Kerala in November, confirms AFA

After weeks of uncertainty, the Lionel Messi-led Argentina football team is finally set to visit Kerala in November. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed the development in an announcement on Friday.

According to the AFA, Argentina will play two FIFA friendlies later this year. The first, scheduled between October 6 and 14, will be held in the United States. The second, from November 10 to 18, will be hosted in Luanda, Angola, and Kerala, India. The opponents for both fixtures are yet to be finalised. The World Cup champions will play an exhibition match at the Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. Following international fixtures against Venezuela on September 5 and Ecuador on September 10, 2025, Messi and the Argentine squad will travel directly to Kerala. 

Kerala’s Sports Minister V Abdurahiman welcomed the announcement, stating, “Football has always held a special place in Kerala’s heart. The passion our people have shown for the game, especially for Argentina and Lionel Messi, is unmatched anywhere in the world. Hosting the Argentina national team is not just about a football match; it is about celebrating Kerala’s sporting culture and the unifying power of the game. This visit is a tribute to our football-loving communities, from Malappuram to Thiruvananthapuram, who have kept the spirit of the game alive for generations.

The arrival of Messi and his team will not only thrill fans but also inspire a new generation of youngsters to dream bigger in football. Kerala has always produced great talent, and moments like this remind us why the state is often called the football capital of India. This is an opportunity for Kerala to show the world that we are ready to host international sporting spectacles with pride and passion.”

The confirmation has come as a relief to football fans in Kerala after conflicting statements earlier created confusion. The Sports Minister had initially announced Messi’s visit by posing with AFA representatives, including Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer Leandro Petersen, sparking excitement among fans. However, he later claimed the deal had fallen through, while Petersen accused the state government of not honouring an agreement.

However, on Saturday, Petersen took to X to thank Abdurahiman for his role in finalising the agreement. He also acknowledged the Reporter Broadcasting Company Private Limited for facilitating the deal, adding that it would strengthen the growth of the AFA brand in a key market.

Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, led Argentina to their third World Cup title in Qatar in 2022. Argentina, along with Brazil, commands a massive fan following in Kerala.