Messi’s Visit to Kerala Postponed to March, Confirms Sports Minister
Lionel Messi is coming to Kerala, only later than expected. The State Sports Minister, V. Abdurahiman, confirmed on Tuesday that the Argentine football legend’s much-anticipated visit has not been cancelled but postponed to March 2026.
The clarification comes amid speculation that plans for a friendly match featuring the Argentina national football team in Kochi had been shelved. Addressing reporters during the “Vision 2031” sports summit, the minister said that the delay was caused by logistical challenges and the need for further due to a contract issue with Kerala officials.
Two days ago, we received an email from the Argentina team confirming that they will come in March. They also mentioned that an official announcement will be made soon”, Mr Abdurahiman said.
He added that the Argentine Football Association (AFA) had recently communicated with the Kerala government to confirm the revised timeline
Earlier this year, Kerala created a sign of excitement when it announced that Argentina, led by Messi, would play a friendly in Kochi in December 2025. The fixture was expected to be one of the biggest sporting events ever hosted in the State, with discussions underway to convert it into a larger football festival celebrating Kerala’s long-standing passion for the game.
However, uncertainty grew in recent weeks after reports emerged suggesting that the event had been called off. Questions were raised about the government’s prior announcements, as no final contract with the AFA had been made public. Opposition leaders and sports enthusiasts criticised what they described as premature publicity, prompting the minister’s latest clarification.
Mr Abdurahiman reiterated that the government remained committed to bringing international football to Kerala and that necessary upgrades were being carried out at the Kochi stadium to meet FIFA standards. The venue requires certain improvements in infrastructure and facilities to accommodate an international match of this scale. The Sports Department is working closely with local authorities to ensure that all requirements are met well in advance of March.
The minister also emphasised that hosting a global icon such as Messi would be a significant milestone for Kerala’s sports ambitions. The State, he said, aims to position itself as a regional hub for international sporting events under its Vision 2031 framework.
Fans across Kerala have welcomed the minister’s assurance, flooding social-media platforms with messages of renewed excitement. Many expressed relief that the event remains on the calendar, even if delayed by a few months.
If plans proceed as scheduled, Messi’s visit in March 2026 will mark the first time the World Cup-winning captain and his team play on Indian soil. For Kerala, a state where football is more than a sport, that moment promises to be historic.
