Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman has said that it is certain that the Argentina team, led by star footballer Lionel Messi, will come to India. He said the sponsors had also deposited a match fee for the event.
Some media reports have claimed that the Argentina team canceled Kerala's scheduled tour in October-November as the sponsors violated the terms of the contract. Abdurahiman announced in November last year that the Argentina team would travel to Kerala. Not only that, he will also play 2 friendly matches in Kochi.
Kerala's sports minister said-
There was a slight delay in paying the match fee by sponsors. Now the matter has been resolved. According to the FIFA window, teams around the world are allocated time to participate in such events in October-November. So it is possible for us to be determined. The proposed friendly match is likely to be held here at the Greenfield Stadium. Because it is international standard.
Messi could come to play a friendly match in India after 14 years Lionel Messi may come to play in India after 14 years. Earlier, Messi visited India in 2011, when Argentina played a World Cup qualification match against Venezuela at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
Lionel Messi last visited India in 2011. Argentina played a World Cup qualification match against Venezuela at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
Argentina qualified for the 2026 World Cup Argentina qualified for the 2026 World Cup by beating Brazil 4-1 on March 26. Lionel Messi did not play in this match. In this match played at Buenos Aires, Julian Alvarz, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Alastair and Gulia Simon scored from Argentina. Mathews Kunha scored the only goal from Brazil.
Argentina qualified for the 2026 World Cup by beating Brazil 4-1 on March 26.
Argentina Team Football World Champion, 36 years later won the title Argentina's team is a world champion of football. The team won the title by beating France 4-2 in a penalty shootout in 2022. Both teams stayed 2-2 for 90 minutes.
The match remained at 3-3 after extra time. After this, the decision was made by a penalty shootout. Messi scored two goals in the final. However, Kayalian Ambappe hit a hat -trick for France.
Argentina won the Football World Cup 36 years later. In 1986, the team became the champion in the World Cup. Argentina became the first world champion in 1978.
Argentina won the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
Image Credit: Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).