The highly anticipated visit of Lionel Messi and the Argentine national team to Kerala, India, has been cancelled, leaving football fans in the region deeply disappointed. The cancellation throws into doubt the proposed friendly match in Kochi, which was tentatively scheduled for November 17, 2025.
Reports indicate that the Argentine Football Association (AFA) cited the failure to meet required conditions and "repeated violations" of the agreement as the primary reasons for calling off the trip. According to the Spanish-language newspaper La Nación, an AFA official stated, "We did everything possible to make the visit to Kerala happen. Our representatives visited India, inspected the field and hotels, and held meetings. But India could not meet our requirements".
Kerala's Sports Minister, V. Abdurahiman, initially confirmed the cancellation, citing scheduling conflicts and accusing the AFA of breaching the terms of the agreement. However, conflicting statements have emerged, adding to the confusion surrounding the event. While Abdurahiman previously assured that the match would proceed as planned, the AFA pointed fingers at Kerala's failure to fulfill contractual obligations.
Adding another layer to the uncertainty, Anto Augustine, the sponsor of the proposed football match, announced on his Facebook page that the match would not take place next month. He stated that the match in Kerala will be held during the next international window, and the new date will be announced soon, citing delays in receiving FIFA's permission.
The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kaloor, Kochi, was the proposed venue for the friendly match. AFA representative Héctor Daniel Cabrera had visited the stadium to assess the facilities, and Minister Abdurahiman had assured him that the match would occur as planned. There were even talks about rescheduling the event for March 2026.
The news is a significant setback for football enthusiasts in Kerala, where support for Argentina and Messi is fervent. During FIFA World Cups, cities like Kochi, Malappuram, and Kozhikode are adorned with blue and yellow, showcasing giant cutouts of Messi and other football icons. The planned visit was considered a dream come true for these fans, which makes its cancellation all the more disheartening.
The cancellation also raises concerns about the administrative stability of Indian football. With the men's national team struggling to maintain its position in Asian football and failing to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup, the inability to host a high-profile friendly match reflects deeper challenges.
