Messi will visit Kerala in March, affirms Kerala sports minister after November visit cancelled
The minister clarified that the earlier postponement of the match—initially planned for October and then November—was due to infrastructural issues at the stadium.
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala sports minister continues to infuse hope among the Argentinean soccer fans in Kerala where he reiterated that Lionel Messi and his team will visit the state in March 2026.
The new statement comes days after the first promise of Messi’s arrival to Kerala had fallen flat where the Argentinean football association had decided not to arrive as the team had matches in foreign countries.
Speaking at the Sports Vision 2031 Seminar, sports minister said an email from the Argentine Football Association (AFA) had arrived two days ago confirming their willingness to play in Kerala during the March international window.
"They have assured that they will come in March and that an official announcement will be made by the AFA soon,” Abdurahiman said, adding that the stadium (Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kochi) will receive #FIFA approval within 15 days.
The minister clarified that the earlier postponement of the match—initially planned for October and then November—was due to infrastructural issues at the stadium.
"There is no point in blaming anyone or calling it over-smartness. In sports, there will be self-goals, penalties, and goals. People should take it that way,” he remarked, defending the government’s efforts.
Abdurahiman emphasized that everyone involved shares the same dream:
"It is everyone’s interest for #Messi to come and play. It’s not right to put the entire responsibility on the shoulders of those who prepared for it just because the date has changed.”
Earlier, the minister and sponsor Anto Augustin had announced that the Argentina team would not be able to come in November due to stadium-related problems.
Renovations had already begun and payments were made based on the previous agreement.
However, the situation took a controversial turn when Leandro Petersen, Chief Marketing and Commercial Head of the AFA, accused the Kerala government of violating the contract, saying it was "not right to blame them in this regard.”
Meanwhile, on the same day the Kerala government announced Argentina’s visit, it was reported that Lionel Messi and team are scheduled to play a friendly match against Angola in Luanda on November 14.
Adding more intrigue to the football frenzy, Messi is confirmed to visit India in December as part of the GOAT Tour 2025, alongside teammate RodrigoDePaul and Uruguayan star LuisSuárez.