Photo: AFP
Kozhikode: Exciting football fans in Kerala, the Argentine national football team will play in Kerala. It is reported that the Argentine Football Association has given permission to visit Kerala. Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman will meet the media on Wednesday and provide more information. It is learnt that the state government has reached an agreement with the Argentine Football Association to host the match. The team will visit Kerala next year. It is not yet clear whether Messi will play. The Argentine Football Association will take the final decision on Messi. A huge amount of money will be required to host the match. It is estimated that the cost will be more than 100 crores. This will be found through sponsors. It is reported that an agreement has also been reached regarding the sponsors. An announcement regarding this will also be made at the press conference to be held the next day. The team will play two matches in Kerala. Two leading teams in Asia will play Argentina. Earlier in September, the minister and his team had met with the Argentine Football Association in Spain. At the same time, it was announced that the time and venue of the team’s arrival would be decided later.
V. Abdurahiman had also said that the Argentine Football Academy had expressed its willingness to start a football academy in Kerala and hold a friendly match. The venue for the match has not been decided either. Once the venue is decided, the Argentine football authorities will come and inspect the ground.
Minister V. Abdurahiman had stated in January 2024 that the Argentine football team had sent an e-mail expressing its willingness to play in Kerala. The minister had said that the Argentine football team has expressed its willingness to visit Kerala in October 2025. The state sports ministry had earlier sent a letter to the Argentine Football Association inviting the team to Kerala. An email was received in response to that accepting the invitation.
The Argentine team, which included Messi, played in Kolkata in 2011. The match was against Venezuela at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. It was also Messi’s debut match as Argentina captain.
