IMAGE: Kerala is set to make history as FIFA World Cup Champions Argentina are expected to visit next year! Photograph: Kai Pfaffenbach/ReutersThe Kerala government announced on Wednesday that the Argentina national football team, led by legendary player Lionel Messi, will visit the state next year for an international friendly match, which Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hailed as a tribute to state people's passion for soccer.
Addressing a press conference here, Sports Minister V Abdurahiman said that the world-renowned team would play two friendly matches in Kerala, with the event being conducted under the complete supervision of the state government.
The venue and the opponent team would be decided at a later stage, Abdurahiman said, reacting to a query.
"The world's number one football team, Argentina, including Lionel Messi, is coming to Kerala... There will be two matches," he said.
The management of the Argentina team would make an official announcement in this regard upon arriving in the state, Abdurahiman said.
Representatives of the football team are expected to visit the southern state within one and a half months, the minister said.
"We (government) have decided to make a joint announcement in this regard with the Argentina national team management," he said.
The minister said that he had recently visited Spain to hold discussions with representatives of the Argentina national team and to extend an official invitation for their visit to the state.
He said that talks were held with individuals associated with the team, who agreed to visit India in 2025 and participate in the friendly match event.
Responding to a question, he said that the decision regarding the team's arrival has been finalised, and there are no changes to it.
He noted that the government would directly oversee the match, security, and other arrangements.
The minister said that the match would take place next year, but the date would be announced by the Argentina Football Association (AFA) in accordance with their procedures.
Making it clear that the match would be held in a stadium with a capacity of at least 50,000 people, he indicated that Kochi is likely to be the venue.
The minister pointed out that India has the largest support base for the Argentina football team, with one-fourth of the fans residing in Kerala. This is the primary reason for the Argentina team's decision to visit the state.
Financial support for organising the high-profile football event will be provided by the traders of the state, he added.
Abdurahiman also expressed confidence in Kerala's capability to host this historic occasion.
Later in the day, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the FIFA World Cup Champions are expected to visit the state next year.
"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 @AFASelectionEN. Let's gear up to welcome the champions and celebrate our love for football!" he said in a post on his 'X' handle.
He said in a Facebook post that many had dismissed the possibility of the Argentina football team's arrival in the state as impossible, but it has now become a reality due to the consistent efforts of the state government.
"The world team's visit is a tribute to the state's love for football, which the world views with awe," he said.
The CM said it would be a moment when Kerala's name is prominently heard on the world sports map.
"The visit of the Argentina team will bring new energy to the sports sector and culture of the state. Let us come together enthusiastically to give a warm welcome to Messi and his team," Vijayan said in the Facebook post.
In September this year, a delegation from Kerala, led by Abdurahiman, visited Spain to seek collaboration with the Argentine Football Association (AFA).
After holding a meeting with its office-bearers in Madrid, Abdurahiman said that the collaboration with AFA would be a significant investment for Kerala and expressed his desire to make it a reality as soon as possible.
"The possibility of considering Kerala as a venue for international friendly matches was discussed. As part of this, the association representatives expressed interest in visiting Kerala soon. AFA also expressed interest in setting up football academies in Kerala in collaboration with the state government," he had said in a Facebook post.
Commenting on their meeting, the AFA had said: "Together with the delegation from the Government of Kerala, headed by V Abdurahiman, Minister of Sports, we had the opportunity to share initiatives and projects that will surely materialize in the short term."
"In recent years, the association has established itself as one of the most important and popular sports brands in this strategic market through its global expansion strategy," it had said in a statement.
"In this context, our institution is working on developing sports and commercial projects in different parts of the country, with the aim of continuing to expand our brand and being closer to the fans of the Argentine National Team in India," it had added.
