Updated March 26th 2025, 17:30 IST
Football fans in India have got a chance to witness the legendary Lionel Messi in action. The FIFA World Cup-winning striker, who won the title in 2022, will be visiting India alongside the entire Argentina Squad in October 2025. While the news had been revealed earlier, the news has received double assurance, and it is now officially confirmed that the Argentine side will be visiting Kerala for an exhibition match-up.
Back in November 2024, Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman announced that Lionel Messi and Argentina would be visiting the southern region of India to engage in a couple of friendly matches in Kochi. Now, a financial services company has announced that they have become the official partner of the Argentina National Football Team. The financial services company has announced that they will be visiting India in October to promote the game in the region.
"The Argentina national football team, including legendary player Lionel Messi, will visit India for an international exhibition match in October 2025," a statement from the company said.
The last time Lionel Messi visited India was back in September 2011 when Argentina played a World Cup Qualifying match against Venezuela at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. The Argentine side won the clash by 1-0.
Defending Champions Argentina have secured a spot at the upcoming FIFA World Cup in 2026. The Lionel Messi-led side played two goalless draws against Uruguay and Bolivia.
Recently, La Albiceleste thrashed their arch-rivals Brazil in a World Cup Qualifier clash by a 4-1 lead. The side did not feature Lionel Mesis, but they still hammered the opposition at the Mâs Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Published March 26th 2025, 15:42 IST