The highly anticipated visit of the Argentinian national football team, featuring the iconic Lionel Messi, to Kerala will not take place as scheduled. The Kerala Sports Minister, V. Abdurahiman, confirmed this on August 4, disappointing many fans. Earlier plans involved the world champions traveling to Kerala, possibly in October or November 2025. The prospect of Messi playing on Indian soil had captured the imagination of numerous fans. The primary reason for the cancellation revolves around scheduling issues. Though a sponsor covered the match fee, the Argentine team encountered difficulties in visiting during the month of October. The sponsor was only interested in October, which resulted in the event’s cancellation, at least for now. The government of Kerala was prepared to extend full support to the team, covering all associated costs. Despite the disappointment, there is a possibility of the visit being rescheduled for later in the year or in 2026, depending on a mutually acceptable arrangement with the sponsor and the team.
