A recent report has revealed that the Kerala government spent ₹13 lakh to invite football legend Lionel Messi, with the state’s Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman travelling to Spain in September 2024 using public funds.
Earlier, the minister had claimed that inviting Messi and the Argentine national football team would not cost the state a single rupee, but the latest revelations suggest otherwise. The trip was part of efforts to bring Messi and his team to Kerala in October or November 2025. However, the visit was later cancelled due to “travel difficulties.”
The minister was not alone on the trip — he was accompanied by the Sports Department Secretary and the Director of Sports and Youth Affairs. According to the report, the initial assurance that no government money would be used was politically motivated. The timing is significant, as Kerala is set to hold local body elections in December 2025 and state assembly elections in April-May 2026.
Kerala has one of the largest Argentina football fanbases in India, with Messi enjoying immense popularity across the state. Despite the cancellation, Messi will still be visiting India later this year — but under a different arrangement.
In December 2025, the Inter Miami superstar is expected to tour Kolkata, Mumbai, and Delhi. Reports suggest that he might even participate in a cricket match in Mumbai featuring legends like Rohit Sharma and Sachin Tendulkar.
However, Messi’s proposed appearance at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens has raised questions. The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Snehasish Ganguly stated that they had received no official communication about such a visit. Another CAB official confirmed that permission from the Army and clearance from their apex body would be necessary before hosting Messi.
For now, Kerala’s Messi dream remains unfulfilled, but his India tour is still generating plenty of buzz among fans.