Lionel Messi to play in India in 2025? Check Inter Miami star, Argentina football team's potential itinerary

Lionel Messi and the Argentina football team will return to India after 14 years, as the 2022 FIFA World Cup champions are scheduled to play an international friendly match in Kerala in 2025, Sports Minister V Abdurahiman confirmed on Wednesday. 

Addressing a press conference, Abdurahiman said the match would be held under the complete supervision of the state government.

“All the financial assistance for organising this high-profile football event will be provided by the merchants of the state,” the minister said, expressing confidence in Kerala's ability to host the historic occasion.

Although nothing has been made official by the Argentina Football Association (AFA), it is understood that the Kerala government has reached an agreement to bring the defending world champions to the beautiful state. 

Argentina's opponents are yet to be known, but it is said that a top-ranked Asian side will be in action against the world champions. Two international friendlies are on the cards, according to media reports.

According to an Economic Times report, an Abdurahiman-led delegation was sent to Spain for high-level discussions with the AFA. The minister said that the discussions were positive and productive. 

"We have held excellent discussions on how an exhibition match of the Argentina team could be held in Kerala, and as a follow-up to our discussion, a delegation of the AFA will be visiting Kerala shortly," he said.

Reports also suggest that the Kerala government and AFA are in talks to set up several football academies in the state to nurture local talent. Kerala has a rich history in football, and the planned academies with international tie-ups are expected to enhance the talent in the region and elevate the state as a football hub in the country.

Last year, Messi's World Cup-winning teammate Emiliano Martinez visited India. The shot-stopper visited Kolkata.

What happened on Messi's last visit to India?

The last time Messi visited India was in 2011. The then-Barcelona star was a part of the Argentina team that played Venezuela at the iconic Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata. Nicolas Otamendi scored the only goal against Venezuela at a jam-packed stadium. That match in 2011 also marked the beginning of Messi's captaincy era for Argentina's national football team.