Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 23 (UNI) The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has officially confirmed that Lionel Messi and the Argentina national football team will play an exhibition match in Kerala between November 10 and 18, 2025.
The fixture will be held at the Greenfield Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, in what promises to be a landmark sporting event for the state.
The event is being organised by the Kerala government in partnership with Reporter Broadcasting Company Private Limited. The confirmation ends months of speculation after unverified reports earlier this year suggested the tour might be cancelled due to scheduling conflicts.
Dismissing such claims, Reporter TV’s Managing Director and Editor Anto Augustine assured that preparations were “progressing smoothly” and urged the public not to be misled by rumours.
The Argentine team’s visit was first announced in September 2024 by Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman, who said the World Cup winners had agreed to travel to the state as a gesture of gratitude for the overwhelming support shown by Kerala fans during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
To facilitate the event, the Kerala government formally invited the team and secured corporate sponsorships to cover expenses. Reporter Broadcasting Company later signed an agreement with the AFA on December 20, 2024, and is currently in talks to finalise a high-profile opponent for the exhibition match.
Messi and his teammates are scheduled to arrive in Kerala after completing international fixtures against Venezuela (September 5, 2025) and Ecuador (September 10, 2025). The Thiruvananthapuram match will also serve as part of Argentina’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Beyond the match, the AFA has expressed interest in collaborating with Kerala on long-term football development programmes, including grassroots initiatives, training camps, and talent scouting. Officials say such partnerships could strengthen Kerala’s sporting ecosystem and provide new opportunities for aspiring footballers.
The confirmation has sparked widespread excitement among Kerala’s passionate football community, who are gearing up to welcome the World Cup champions and witness Lionel Messi in action in what is expected to be a historic occasion for Indian sport.
