Reigning FIFA World Cup champions Argentina, featuring legendary Lionel Messi, will play an international friendly in Kerala in early 2025, confirmed the state’s sports minister V. Abdurahiman on Wednesday.
The match will be conducted under the supervision of the Kerala government, with the state administration monitoring the game, and security, and taking care of other arrangements.
“All the financial assistance for organising this high-profile football event will be provided by the traders of the State,” the sports minister said at a press conference in Kochi.
“The world’s number one football team, Argentina, comprising Lionel Messi, is coming to Kerala,” revealed Abdurahiman.
The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) is expected to make an announcement in this regard soon. The team is likely to visit Kerala at the beginning of the next year.
“We (the Kerala government) have decided to make a joint announcement in this regard with the Argentina national team management,” said Abdurahiman, adding the decision over the arrival of the team has been finalised and there is no change in it.
The minister also claimed that India has the largest support base for Argentina, and one-fourth of the fans are from Kerala.
However, the venue, date, and opponent have not yet been decided.
But it is very likely that the match will be held at Kochi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, with the venue being the largest in the state.
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