Lionel Messi’s highly-anticipated visit to Kerala may not happen after all — and there’s more than just disappointment on the cards.
A major fallout has emerged between the Kerala government’s commercial partner and the Argentine Football Association (AFA), with accusations of a broken contract and a missing football icon.
According to Anto Augustine (via Manorama Online), the managing director of the company that arranged the deal, Argentina were supposed to play two friendly matches in Kerala later this year — during the FIFA windows in October and November.
That deal reportedly included none other than Lionel Messi himself. But things have taken a sharp turn.
Augustine claims the AFA has changed its tune, now proposing a visit in September 2026 — nearly two years later than agreed.
“That is not ok for us,” he told Manorama Online. “The deal was to have the 2022 world champions play in Kerala this year.”
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He also said that ₹130 crore (about £15 million) was paid in June, and that AFA had confirmed receiving the payment. The money, he claimed, came from his personal account.
Will Lionel Messi visit India this year?
Despite the Kerala drama, Messi is still expected to visit India — just not the south.
Reports say he will travel to Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi in December for a series of events. That’s small comfort for Kerala fans, who’ve been promised his visit for over a year.
Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman has also voiced his frustration. “If they had agreed to come in October, then they should stick to that schedule,” he said.
He also confirmed that Messi’s Kerala visit is off the table, adding that the AFA must take responsibility for the losses.
For now, Messi’s left fans in Kerala on read — and unless something changes soon, it’s the football equivalent of an own goal.
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