Argentina talisman Lionel Messi. (REUTERS)
In what could be a historic first, Lionel Messi-led Argentina is expected to visit Kerala for an international match next year. Kerala sports minister V Abdurahiman announced the state’s decision to host the world champions at Kerala in a press conference in Kerala on Wednesday evening.
“All the financial assistance for organising this high-profile football event will be provided by the merchants of the state. Argentina’s national team is coming here,” Abdurahiman said in the press conference on Wednesday.
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan has also announced the expected visit of Lionel Messi-led Argentina to Kerala next year.
“Kerala is set to make history as FIFA World Cup champions Argentina are expected to visit next year! The dream is becoming a reality thanks to the state government’s efforts and the support of the Argentina National Football team. Let’s gear up to welcome the champions and celebrate our love for football,” Vijayan said in a post on social media platform X.
In the past, Messi’s World Cup-winning teammate Emilliano Martinez had visited India last year when he had gone to football-mad Kolkata. Messi too had visited India in 2011 as part of the Argentina team which faced Venezuela at the Salt Lake Stadium in a friendly fixture in Kolkata.
That game was also Messi’s first match as Argentina’s captain.
As per Abdurahiman, the Kerala government had been in touch with the Argentine Football Association for a long time.
As per some media reports, Argentina’s opponents are likely to be an Asian team. However, it is not confirmed yet who this will be “We have held excellent discussions on how an exhibition match of the Argentina team could be held in Kerala, and as a follow-up to our discussion, a delegation of the AFA will be visiting Kerala shortly,” he said in the press conference.
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