Lionel Messi's visit to India confirmed, Argentina will play friendly match in Kerala, see schedule

Football mania is set to soar in cricket-mad nation India. The tour schedule of Argentina national football team to feature in a friendly match in India under the leadership of great footballer Lionel Messi has been scheduled. Argentina, led by Messi, will come to Kerala in November this year to feature in a friendly match. State Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman provided this news through his social media handle.

The Sports Minister said that the Argentine Football Association (AFA) has confirmed the arrival of the Argentine team to Kerala and play a friendly match through an official mail. The news of Messi's arrival in India has filled the football lovers in India with enthusiasm and excitement. There is a great craze for the South American football team in Kerala. Messi and the Argentina football team enjoy immense popularity here. Now, the state is preparing for what many are calling a 'dream come true' moment. After winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Argentina football had given special thanks to Kerala football fans in a social media post.

The Kerala Football Association (KFA), in collaboration with the All India Football Federation (AIFF), is working on the final preparations, including the selection of the venue. The match could take place at the Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.

This upcoming match will be part of Argentina's preparation schedule ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Lionel Messi, who led Argentina to the World Cup in 2022 in Qatar, is expected to captain the side, although the team list will be formally confirmed closer to the match date.

The state government is also expected to extend full cooperation to ensure smooth security, crowd management and hospitality. Tourism officials believe that Lionel Messi's arrival will boost Kerala's international image and attract fans and tourists from across the country and the world. The Kerala government had specially invited the Argentina team for the friendly match.