Kerala’s dream of witnessing football legend Lionel Messi play live has come to a disappointing end. The Argentine superstar, who was expected to play a match in the state in 2025 with his national team, will not be making the visit after all. Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman confirmed the cancellation on Monday, ending months of speculation surrounding the high-profile event.
Speaking to the media, Minister Abdurahiman stated that the Argentina Football Association (AFA) has withdrawn from the agreement signed with the Kerala government earlier. “What we agreed for was a match here in 2025. But in a recent communication, the AFA has breached the agreement,” The New Indian Express (TNIE) reported, quoting the minister.
The news comes as a blow to football enthusiasts across India, especially in Kerala, which has a deep-rooted love for the sport and has produced numerous national-level footballers. Messi’s visit was being seen as a historic moment for Indian football, and thousands of fans had eagerly awaited confirmation of the date and venue.
According to Abdurahiman, the AFA had recently expressed willingness to consider a different window in March 2026, instead of the initially agreed timeline of 2025. However, the Kerala government has refused to entertain the new proposal.
“We had clear terms regarding the 2025 match. The latest communication from AFA, suggesting a shift to 2026, indicates a breach of that agreement. We have decided not to go ahead with any altered arrangement,” said the minister, making it clear that the state would not be rescheduling the event.
The plan to host Messi and the Argentine team had generated significant excitement among sports fans. Reports earlier this year suggested that the Kerala government was in advanced talks with the AFA to host an exhibition match, with Messi leading the team, possibly in Kochi or Thiruvananthapuram. The match was being seen not only as a sporting spectacle but also as a tourism boost for the state.
While the state government is now closing the chapter on the possibility of hosting the Argentine national team, there has been no official response from the AFA regarding the reasons behind the cancellation.
Fans have taken to social media to express disappointment and frustration. “We were all waiting to see Messi play in our state. This is truly heartbreaking,” said one fan on X (formerly Twitter). Others called for more transparency on why the AFA breached the agreement and whether there was still a possibility of reconsideration.
This isn’t the first time Messi’s potential visit to India has stirred excitement. In the past, there were attempts to bring top international teams to the country, but logistical issues and scheduling conflicts often stalled such initiatives.
For now, Kerala’s hopes of hosting one of the greatest footballers of all time have been dashed. The state government has stated that it will continue to pursue international sporting opportunities but will be more cautious about agreements in the future.
As Indian football continues to grow and attract global attention, fans remain hopeful that legends like Lionel Messi may still set foot on Indian soil—someday.
