Lionel Messi to play in Kerala next year

KERALA (India), November 20 — Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman on Wednesday (November 20, 2024) revealed that the Argentina football team, including legendary player Lionel Messi, will visit Kerala next year (2025) for an international match.

Addressing a press conference here, the Minister stated that the match would be conducted under the complete supervision of the State government.

"All the financial assistance for organising this high-profile football event will be provided by the traders of the State," the Minister said, expressing confidence in Kerala's ability to host the historic occasion.

“The world’s number one football team, Argentina, comprising Lionel Messi, is coming to Kerala,” he said.

The management of the Argentina team would make an official announcement in this regard.

Concerned persons of the football team would come to the Kerala within one and a half months, the Minister said.

“We (the Kerala government) have decided to make a joint announcement in this regard with the Argentina national team management,” he added.

Responding to a question, he said the decision over the arrival of the team has been finalised and there is no change in it.

Noting that the government will directly monitor the match, security, and other arrangements in this regard, he said the venue and the opponent team would be decided later.

He said the match would be held next year (2025), but the date would be announced by the Argentina Football Federation as per the system.

Kochi likely venue

Making it clear that the match would be held in a stadium that could accommodate at least 50,000 people, he indicated that Kochi is likely to be the venue.

The Minister pointed out that India has the largest support base for the Argentina football team, and one-fourth of the fans are in Kerala.

—The Hindu