The uncertainty seems to be over. The Lionel Messi-led Argentine national team is coming to Kerala to take part in a friendly match in November this year! The friendly match is likely to take place during FIFA’s November-window, between 10th and 18th November. This visit will mark the first time an Argentine side will be playing in Kerala.
The official confirmation came through the team’s social media handles earlier today. The opponents for the fixtures are yet to be announced.
“The Argentine national team, led by Lionel Scaloni, will have two FIFA friendly matches in the remainder of 2025. The first, in October, from the 6th to the 14th, will be played in the United States (opponents and cities to be determined). The second, a FIFA friendly in November, from the 10th to the 18th, will be played in Luanda, Angola, and Kerala, India (opponents to be determined),” the statement read.
Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman first revealed that the Argentine national team, led by Messi would be taking part in a friendly match this year. But the much-awaited trip got a big blow following disagreements between the Kerala government, event sponsors, and the Argentine Football Association (AFA). Doubts were created over whether the friendly would actually go ahead.
At one point, Kerala’s Sports Minister announced that the Argentine national team’s Kerala-tour would be cancelled. Then, Reporting Broadcasting, the commercial partner of the Kerala state sports ministry, warned of legal action against the AFA. However, the situation now seems to have been resolved, and Argentina are set to play in India later this year.
This will be the reigning world champions’ second visit to the country. Their first appearance came in 2011, when Lionel Messi led the side in a friendly against Venezuela at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium.
