Lionel Messi, the World Cup-winning football legend widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, is reportedly coming to India. Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman announced on Wednesday that Messi and the Argentina football team will visit Kerala next year for an international match.
The minister expressed confidence in Kerala’s ability to host this historic event and confirmed that the state government would oversee the arrangements.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan shared the excitement on social media, tweeting:
“Kerala is set to make history as FIFA World Cup Champions Argentina are expected to visit next year! This dream is becoming a reality thanks to the State Government’s efforts and the support of @AFASeleccionEN. Let’s gear up to welcome the champions and celebrate our love for football!”
This won’t be Messi’s first visit to India. In 2011, he played in an international friendly against Venezuela held in the country.
Messi, who led Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, has a massive fan base in India, a country where cricket traditionally dominates.
Currently playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS), Messi joined the team in 2023 after a brief stint with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
