Kerala Minister Accuses Messi's Argentina of Taking Rs 250 Crore and Skipping Match

V Abdurahiman on Thursday accused Lionel Messi and the Argentina national football team of “cheating” the state after they allegedly failed to visit Kerala for a scheduled match despite receiving payment. The remarks have sparked controversy, especially among football fans who were eagerly awaiting the team’s visit.

Abdurahiman said the Kerala government had made significant efforts to bring the World Cup-winning side to the state, including holding multiple rounds of discussions and securing sponsorship funds. He claimed that around ₹250 crore had been arranged to host the international football team, making it one of the most ambitious sporting initiatives in the state.

Expressing disappointment, the minister stated that the team did not honour its commitment even after the financial arrangements were made. “We did not expect such a betrayal,” he said in a television interview, adding that the situation has left both officials and fans disheartened.

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The minister further alleged that Kerala was not the only affected party, claiming that similar incidents had occurred in other countries. According to him, the Argentine side had reportedly taken money from multiple nations but did not travel to those destinations to play matches, raising concerns about accountability.

Abdurahiman indicated that legal action could be considered, suggesting that a case might be filed against the team seeking compensation for the alleged breach. He also noted that the episode has deeply disappointed football lovers across Kerala, who had been looking forward to seeing global star Messi in action.

The controversy comes amid political developments in the state, with Abdurahiman also addressing his decision to contest from Tirur in the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections. He maintained that his move was based on development concerns in his native constituency and expressed confidence that his previous seat would remain secure.

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