Where in Kerala will Lionel Messi's Argentina play in November? Sponsor drops a major hint on the venue

After several months of uncertainties and confusions, the Argentina Football Association officially confirmed that a full-strength team, led by the legendary Lionel Messi, will play an international friendly in Kerala. The World champions will be in the south Indian state from November 10 to 18.

READ HERE | Lionel Messi’s Argentina to play in Kerala in November

Meanwhile, Reporter Broadcasting Company Private Ltd, the Kerala government's official partner in the project to bring Argentina to the football-mad state, said that they will not compromise on the quality of the exhibition game and another quality team will be roped in to square off against Argentina. The company's managing director, Anto Augustine, said in a statement that a detailed plan will be revealed in a week's time.

 

Augustine also dropped a major clue on where in Kerala Argentina will play, although it was not officially announced. He said Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital, will witness an extravaganza like never before following the arrival of Messi and Co. The facilities arranged for the match will match the build-up for the World Cup, he said, adding that it is an opportunity to turn it into a sporting festival for the entire state.

 

If held in the state capital, The Greenfield Stadium is most likely to host the match.

 

Anto Augustine hailed the determination of the state government for the success of the project as they had faced several roadblocks.

 

What the Argentine Football Association said?

“The Argentine national team, led by Lionel Scaloni, will have two FIFA friendlies in the remainder of 2025.

 

“The first, in October, from the 6th to the 14th, will be played in the United States (rivals and cities to be determined). The second, a FIFA friendly in November, from the 10th to the 18th, will be played in Luanda, Angola, and Kerala, India (rivals to be determined),” the AFA said in a statement.

 

Earlier this month, state sports Minister V. Abdurahiman also said that the Messi-led team would not be coming to Kerala as the team had informed the official sponsors that they were facing difficulties in visiting the state this year.

 

Leo Messi last came to India in 2011

It was in 2011 that Messi last played in India. Argentina and Venezuela had faced off in an international friendly match at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, with the match ending in a goalless stalemate.

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