Fans in India who were eagerly waiting to see Lionel Messi play in Kerala will have to wait a little longer. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has officially confirmed that Argentina’s visit to Kochi, originally scheduled for November 17, 2025, has been postponed due to logistical delays and pending FIFA approvals. The Argentine national team was set to play a friendly match against Australia as part of their Asian tour, but the plans have now changed.
According to the AFA, coach Lionel Scaloni and his team will instead train in Spain before traveling to Luanda for a single friendly against Angola on November 14. “After the match, the team will return to Europe for further training until November 18,” the statement read.
The event’s sponsor, Anto Augustine, in collaboration with the Kerala Sports Ministry, confirmed via social media that the postponement was made after discussions with AFA. “Considering the delay in receiving FIFA’s permission and logistical preparations, it was decided to move the match out of the November window,” he explained.
Reports from Argentine media indicate that Kerala’s infrastructure and logistical readiness did not meet the required standards within the given timeframe. As a result, the friendly match is now likely to be rescheduled for March 2026.
Meanwhile, Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman revealed that Messi was open to traveling to India alone for the event. However, the state government decided that the visit would only proceed if the entire Argentina football team could participate. This decision has stirred political controversy in Kerala, with Opposition Leader VD Satheesan criticizing the government. “If Messi’s visit was used for political publicity, then the state must also take responsibility for its cancellation,” he remarked.
Lionel Messi last visited India in 2011, when he led Argentina against Venezuela in a friendly at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, where Argentina secured a 1-0 victory. Fans have been waiting ever since for his return, making the postponement a major disappointment for football lovers across the country.