Argentina to Play Friendly Match Against India in 2025

The Kerala government has confirmed that Argentina's national football team, led by star player and captain Lionel Messi, will travel to Kerala in 2025 for an international football friendly. This announcement was made by Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman on Wednesday.

Minister Abdurahiman revealed that he visited Spain last week to discuss the opportunity with the Argentina national team representatives. The discussions were successful, and the team has agreed to play a friendly match in India.

The announcement is seen as a significant boost for football in India, following a 14-year hiatus since Messi's last appearance in a match against Venezuela in Kolkata, which ended in a goalless draw, back in 2011.

Abdulrahiman emphasized that this match will further promote the sport in Kerala, as part of the government's efforts to foster a stronger sports culture in the state. The friendly match is expected to be conducted under full supervision of the government, with financial backing from Kerala's trade community.

This news adds to Messi's list of recent achievements, who recently equaled Cristiano Ronaldo's record for the most hat-tricks in international football during a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bolivia. He also won the prestigious Ballon d'Or award for the eighth time in 2023, becoming the first MLS player to achieve this feat.

This match will be an exciting milestone for Indian football fans as they welcome the world-renowned Messi back into their territory. The official announcement regarding the visit is expected to follow soon, with a joint declaration from Argentina and Kerala governments due to be released within the next month.

The friendly match promises to kick-start major international football events in India, further solidifying the country's commitment to supporting global sporting initiatives.