Daijiworld Media Network – Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 25: Contrary to repeated claims by Kerala’s Sports Minister V Abdurahiman, Lionel Messi and the World Cup-winning Argentina football team will not be visiting Kerala in November. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed that the national team will travel to Spain for training before heading to Luanda to play a friendly against Angola on November 14. Post-match, the team will return to South America for further preparations until the FIFA World Cup concludes on November 18.

Sponsor Anto Augustine clarified on Facebook in Malayalam that the proposed match in Kerala has been postponed due to delays in FIFA approval. He added that the match will be rescheduled for a future international window, with details to be announced soon.

Similarly, Australia, previously announced as Argentina’s opponents by the Kerala government, confirmed their November plans do not include India. The Socceroos will face Venezuela in Texas on November 14 and Colombia in Queens, New York on November 18.

Earlier claims by the state and a private broadcaster had suggested that Messi and the Argentine squad would play at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kaloor, Kochi, on November 17, and participate in fan events and an open-bus parade, which will now not take place.