According to the Sports Minister, the match will be held under the supervision of the state government and will be financed by local traders.
The Argentina men’s national football team, led by Lionel Messi, will set foot on Indian soil again after fourteen years in a friendly match that promises to be a historic event for football in the Asian country. The announcement was made on Wednesday by Kerala State Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman, who highlighted the importance of the event and the excitement it generates in the region.
Albiceleste’s last outing in India was in 2011, when they faced Venezuela in a scoreless friendly. Back then, Lionel Messi was already a leading figure in world football, but his career has since reached legendary heights, most notably after leading Argentina to World Cup victory in Qatar in 2022.
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The 2025 match represents a unique opportunity for Indian fans, many of whom are avid admirers of Messi and the Argentina national team, to see their idols up close. According to Minister Abdurahiman, the meet will be held under the supervision of the state government and will be financed by local traders, demonstrating interest and support for this high-profile sporting event.
Argentina will arrive at this friendly engagement as reigning world champions and the undisputed leader of South American qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, having accumulated 25 points in a near-perfect campaign. The team, led by Lionel Scaloni, has maintained an extraordinary level of competitiveness, standing out not only for the leadership of Messi, but also for the talent of a new generation of players who complement the captain.
At Qatar 2022, Lionel Messi emerged as the tournament’s second top scorer with seven goals and led his team to an epic victory over France in the final, decided in a thrilling penalty shootout. Since then, the Rosarian star has continued to demonstrate his quality within the national team, although doubts remain about his presence at the 2026 World Cup.
