Thiruvananthapuram
The Kerala government announced that the Argentina national football team, led by superstar Lionel Messi, will visit the state next year for an international match. Kerala’s Sports Minister, V Abdurahiman, shared the news at a press conference on Wednesday, confirming that the state government will supervise the event. Financial backing for the high-profile match will come from local traders.
“The world’s top-ranked football team, Argentina, featuring Lionel Messi, is coming to Kerala,” the minister said. He added that officials from the Argentina team would visit the state in about six weeks to finalize details.
A joint announcement with the Argentina Football Federation is planned, and while the exact date of the match will be decided by the federation, it is set to take place in a stadium that can hold at least 50,000 spectators. Kochi is currently the most likely venue.
The minister emphasized the immense popularity of the Argentina team in India, especially in Kerala, which is home to one-fourth of their Indian fan base. This enthusiastic support played a significant role in bringing the team to the state.
Security and logistical arrangements will be directly managed by the government to ensure a smooth event. The name of the opposing team will be revealed soon.
This marks a historic occasion for football fans in India, as Messi and his team prepare to take the field in Kerala, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for local supporters to witness football greatness firsthand.
