The Argentine Football Association on Friday confirmed that the national side, featuring Lionel Messi, will play an international friendly in Kerala in November.
In a statement released on the official website, the Association said: “The first, in October, from the 6th to the 14th, will be played in the United States (opponents and cities to be determined).”
“The second, a FIFA friendlies in November, from the 10th to the 18th, will be played in Luanda, Angola, and Kerala, India (opponents to be determined),” the statement said.
Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman said a top team is being planned to be invited to the state to compete against the world champion side.
“We will select a team from among FIFA’s top 50. Several teams have approached us. The Australian football team has expressed interest, and we also have a sports exchange agreement with them. Similarly, three or four other teams have contacted us,” Abdurahiman was quoted as saying by India Today.
“Initially, AFA planned it for 2026. However, we contacted them and requested that they hold the match in Kerala this year. Now, AFA has officially confirmed it. We intend to bring the Argentina squad that won the 2022 World Cup,” the minister said.
“Our intention is to provide a platform for fans to see Messi play in Kerala,” he said.
Messi and his men beat France in 2022 to win the World Cup in Qatar.
