Indian football fans are gearing up for a moment they once only dreamed of. Lionel Messi and his FIFA World Cup-winning Argentina team will arrive in Kerala this November to play an international friendly, their first-ever official match on Indian soil.
Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman confirmed the development through social media, revealing that the Argentine Football Association (AFA) has officially given the green signal. The fixture will be held during the FIFA International Match Window of November 2025.
Excitement is already sweeping through Kerala, a state with a deep-rooted love for South American football. For decades, the magic of Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi has drawn fans in, and this announcement is being hailed as a &ldquo;dream come true&rdquo; for generations of Indian supporters.
The Kerala Football Association (KFA), working with the All India Football Federation (AIFF), is finalizing arrangements. Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram is emerging as the frontrunner to host the high-profile match.
Tourism and state officials are preparing large-scale plans for security, crowd control, and hospitality, with expectations of a global audience and thousands of traveling fans. &ldquo;Messi&rsquo;s arrival will put Kerala on the world football map like never before,&rdquo; officials believe.
Lionel Messi, who captained Argentina to glory in Qatar 2022, is expected to lead the side, though the final squad announcement will be made closer to the date. The match is also a crucial part of Argentina&rsquo;s build-up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Interestingly, Minister Abdurahiman had faced criticism in recent weeks with political opponents accusing him of &ldquo;over-promising&rdquo; Messi&rsquo;s visit. Now, with the official confirmation, he has silenced the critics, including those promoting the viral slogan &ldquo;Messi is missing.&rdquo;
For Indian football, this moment is historic. For Kerala, it is pure celebration.

Kerala to host Argentina in historic FIFA friendly, Messi set to lead the squad

Messi, Argentina to play in Kerala

Kerala to host Argentina in historic FIFA friendly, Messi set to lead the squad

August 23, 2025 | 19:56 IST