On Wednesday, Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman announced that the Argentina football team, which includes the great Lionel Messi, will play an international match in the state the next year. The match will be played under the full supervision of the state government, the minister said at a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram.

The minister expressed confidence in Kerala's ability to organise the historic event and stated that the state's merchants would provide all of the financial assistance needed to organise this high-profile football tournament.

When Argentina met Venezuela in an international friendly match in 2011, Messi made his final appearance in India. The game had ended in a tie with no goals.  In India, a country where cricket has always dominated the sport, Lionel Messi, a global football icon, has an incredible fan base. Kerala, where football has traditionally maintained a unique place in the hearts of its citizens, stands out among his Indian supporters as a hub of Messi excitement.

Malappuram, a district renowned for its passion for football, is expected to host one of the games. Authorities have already initiated plans to build a new international-standard stadium adjacent to the Manjeri Payyanad Stadium, which will serve as a practice ground for the Argentine team. This project is part of broader efforts to promote football development in the region. The AFA has also expressed interest in collaborating with the Kerala government to train 5,000 young footballers under the state's "Goal" project. This partnership aims to strengthen grassroots football in the state.

Kerala has long been a hub of football enthusiasm, with its streets and homes adorned in blue and white during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, when Messi led Argentina to victory. The prospect of witnessing Messi and his team live has sent waves of excitement through the local community, where football is celebrated with unparalleled passion.

This landmark event underscores Kerala’s growing stature in the global sports arena and promises to leave an indelible mark on Indian football. Fans and football enthusiasts across the country are eagerly counting down to October 2025.