Contrary to previous claims by Kerala’s Sports Minister V Abdurahiman, Lionel Messi and the World Cup-winning Argentina squad will not be visiting Kerala next month. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed their November schedule, which does not include India.
Argentina’s November Schedule
The AFA stated that the national team, led by coach Lionel Scaloni, will travel to Spain for training before heading to Luanda to play a friendly against Angola on November 14. After the match, the team will return to South America to continue preparations until November 18, when the FIFA World Cup concludes.
Match in Kerala Postponed
Sponsor Anto Augustine, in a Facebook post in Malayalam, explained that the proposed Kerala match has been postponed due to delays in securing FIFA approval. “The match scheduled for November will now take place in the next window. An official announcement will follow soon,” he wrote.
Australia Confirms Alternate Plans
Australia, previously announced as Argentina’s opponent in Kerala, also clarified their schedule. Football Australia confirmed that the Socceroos will compete in the USA during the FIFA Men’s International Window, playing Venezuela in Texas on November 14 and Colombia in New York on November 18.
Earlier Kerala Plans
Earlier, the Kerala government and a private broadcaster had announced that Messi and the Argentine team would play at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kaloor, in Kochi on November 17, along with fan events and an open-bus parade the day before the match. These plans are now on hold.
