Lionel Messi and Argentina Team Confirmed to Play in Kerala This November

TDT | Manama

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Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman has reiterated that Argentina’s national football team, led by captain Lionel Messi, will play in the state this November despite growing political controversy and uncertainty over sponsorship.

Speaking on Saturday, Abdurahiman dismissed speculation that the plan had collapsed, insisting that Kerala remains on track to host the football icons. “The Argentina team has not said they will skip Kerala. On the contrary, we have been informed of their arrival in November. Security arrangements have already been requested,” the Minister stated.

Opposition Questions Credibility

The assurance follows pointed criticism from the Opposition Congress party. State Congress president Sunny Joseph accused the government of raising “false hopes” over Messi’s arrival and demanded clarity, arguing that repeated announcements without formal confirmation from the Argentina Football Association (AFA) risked misleading the public.

The Minister, however, stressed there was no ambiguity. He noted that Messi’s reported visits to Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Delhi in mid-November were personal appearances unrelated to Kerala’s proposed fixture with the AFA. Reports suggested that Messi could appear in Kolkata on November 12, Ahmedabad on the 13th, Mumbai on the 14th, and Delhi on the 15th, where he may also meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Sponsorship Setback and Contract Dispute

Adding to the confusion, AFA’s Head of Marketing, Leandro Peterson, alleged that the Kerala government had breached its contract, leading to the collapse of the original sponsorship deal. This fueled speculation that Messi’s Kerala appearance might be cancelled.

Abdurahiman countered these claims, saying that the AFA had assured him the event would proceed. “My visit to Spain was not just about meeting AFA officials, but also to hold discussions with Spain’s Sports Council on the new stadium project in Thiruvananthapuram,” he explained. He confirmed that talks with potential new sponsors are underway.

Optimism Despite Uncertainty

Despite the conflicting signals, the Kerala government remains optimistic. The Minister insisted that Messi and his team will take the field in Kerala this November, framing the visit as both a sporting milestone and an opportunity to showcase the state’s readiness to host international events.

For football fans in India, the government’s assurances mean the possibility of seeing Lionel Messi play in Kerala remains alive — though doubts fueled by sponsorship issues and political disputes continue to linger.