The Lionel Messi-led Argentina national football team is set to play a highly anticipated friendly match against Australia in Kerala this November, according to official sources in the state’s sports department. The game, scheduled between November 12 and 18 at Kochi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, marks a historic moment for Indian football fans, with an Argentine support staff member expected in Kochi on Wednesday for venue inspection. The confirmation follows months of speculation and controversy, including August reports suggesting the world champions might cancel their visit.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) had previously announced two FIFA friendlies for 2025, one in the United States in October and another in November in Luanda, Angola, and Kerala, India. Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman played a pivotal role in securing the match, dispelling doubts with assurances of Argentina’s participation. The effort began in September 2024 when Abdurahiman met AFA officials in Spain to finalize details, building on Kerala’s passionate football culture and its history of fervent support for Argentina during the 2022 World Cup.
Australia, ranked 25th in FIFA standings, emerges as a formidable opponent, boasting an unbeaten streak across 18 matches since mid-2024. The clash promises a thrilling spectacle, with Messi’s presence expected to elevate excitement in Kerala, a state known for its football fervor, often seen in streets adorned with Argentina’s colors during global tournaments. This will be Argentina’s second visit to India, following their 2011 friendly against Venezuela at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, where they won 1-0.
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Post-match, Messi is slated for a multi-city Indian tour in December, visiting Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Delhi, where a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is planned. The Kerala friendly, initially considered for Thiruvananthapuram’s Greenfield Stadium but shifted due to unsuitable conditions, underscores India’s growing stature in global football. As preparations intensify, the event is poised to boost local enthusiasm and cement Kerala’s reputation as a football hub, with fans eagerly awaiting a showcase of world-class talent.
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