What was shaping up to be a historic moment for Indian football fans now stands on shaky ground. Lionel Messi’s much-anticipated appearance in Kerala – leading world champions Argentina against Australia – may be in jeopardy, despite months of hype and preparation.
The Rs 70-crore renovation of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi was almost complete – brand new seating, upgraded floodlights, tight security, and a city practically shutting down in Messi’s honour. Even local businesses were reportedly preparing to close for weeks, planning Messi-themed events and screenings. The buzz on social media was electric. Fans stood in queues for tickets, and cafes were readying for the football festival of a lifetime.
But now, that dream hangs in the balance.
What Happened to the Kerala Friendly?
While excitement soared across Kerala, recent reports from Argentina have cast doubt on the November 17 fixture. Respected journalist Gaston Edul tweeted that while Argentina’s friendly vs Angola in Luanda is confirmed, the India leg of the tour might have “fallen through.”
Adding to that, TyC Sports reported Argentina could instead face another African nation, with Morocco emerging as a possible alternate host. The reason? Logistics, long travel hours, and a need to manage player fatigue during the tight FIFA international window.
Some outlets also suggest not all star players – including Messi were confirmed for the India trip, leading to uncertainty around the squad’s strength.
Postponement or Cancellation?
One of the more hopeful updates is the possibility of the match being postponed to March 2026, which would allow Argentina to manage their players’ workload better while still keeping their India plans alive. It could also offer organisers more breathing room to ensure a smoother experience for players and fans alike.
Organisers Deny Reports: “The Match Is On”
Despite the swirling rumours, Indian organisers have stepped forward to set the record straight.
Anto Augustine, Managing Director of Reporter Broadcasting and one of the key organisers of the event, has strongly denied cancellation reports.
“There’s no information on the cancellation of Kerala plans. The Argentina ‘A’ team will visit Kerala,” Augustine said.
“This is a FIFA November window, not a club exhibition. All paperwork and financial agreements are in place. These are just baseless rumours.”
According to Augustine, everything from approvals to ticketing has been finalised, and preparations at the stadium are being done to FIFA standards. If true, that means fans could still expect to see Messi and his world champion teammates including Julian Alvarez, Emiliano Martinez, Alexis Mac Allister, and others walk out in Kochi on November 17.
Messi Mania in India Continues
Whether the friendly goes ahead or not, Messi’s India visit isn’t entirely off the cards. His GOAT Tour in December is still very much on track, covering Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and New Delhi from December 13 to 15.
Final Whistle
For now, fans remain in limbo – caught between hope and heartbreak. Will Kerala witness one of football’s greatest icons live in action? Or will logistical challenges rewrite history before it’s even made?
All eyes are on the final decision but one thing’s certain: India is ready for Messi.
