Messi-Argentina to Play in Kerala, November 2025

Thiruvananthapuram: Football superstar Lionel Messi and the Argentina national football team are set to arrive in Kerala, India. Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman announced that the official confirmation regarding this visit has been received. The team that won the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar will be visiting the state as part of their international friendly tour.

In a Facebook post, Minister Abdurahiman said:

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) shared details of their upcoming friendly matches scheduled for October and November via social media. According to the association, the team is expected to arrive in Kerala between November 10 and 18, 2025.

Lionel Messi, one of the finest footballers of all time, led Argentina to a historic World Cup victory in 2022. The win in Qatar was particularly emotional as it ended Argentina’s 36-year World Cup drought, their last win being in 1986 under Diego Maradona.

Messi’s presence in Kerala will be a dream come true for countless fans. At 38 years old, Messi continues to be a central figure for Argentina and remains active at the international level, often participating in key friendlies and tournaments.

Kerala has always had a deep-rooted passion for football. Cities like Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Kannur are known for cultivating talented players and for their football-crazy crowds. During World Cups, Kerala transforms into a sea of flags, murals, and cutouts — especially of teams like Argentina and Brazil.

In fact, Argentina has a cult following in Kerala. Streets are often painted in the team’s signature blue-and-white colors, and massive cutouts of Messi frequently appear during tournaments. The love for Messi in Kerala runs so deep that in 2022, after Argentina’s World Cup win, fans held massive celebrations similar to those in Buenos Aires.

If the Argentina team’s visit proceeds as planned, it will be one of the biggest football events in Indian football history. It will be a rare opportunity for Indian football fans to see global icons like Messi play live in India.