Lionel Messi is scheduled to visit India this November as part of the Argentina national team’s tour, the Argentine Football Federation (AFA) has officially confirmed. The team will participate in a FIFA friendly match in Kerala between November 10th and 18th, although the opposing team and the exact venue have not yet been finalized.
The friendly game is expected to take place in Kochi, as India boasts a large fanbase for Argentina, who celebrated enthusiastically after their 2022 FIFA World Cup victory. The AFA acknowledged the support from Kerala fans following Argentina’s historic tournament success. Rumors about Messi’s visit had circulated for some time before official confirmation was given.
Kerala Sports Minister V Adburahiman had earlier announced that the Argentine team would visit the state later this year, but the plan faced uncertainty due to unresolved contract negotiations between the Kerala government and the AFA. Recent developments indicate that an agreement has been reached, with the federation confirming the plans in a public statement:
“The Argentine national team, led by Lionel Scaloni, will have two FIFA friendly windows in the remainder of 2025. The first, in October, from the 6th to the 14th, will be played in the United States (opponents and cities to be determined). The second, a FIFA friendlies in November, from the 10th to the 18th, will be played in Luanda, Angola, and Kerala, India (opponents to be determined).”
Adburahiman also confirmed the announcement on his social media platform, stating:
“World Champions Lionel Messi and his team will play in Kerala in November 2025,”
Messi last visited India in 2011 when Argentina played a friendly against Venezuela at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, marking his only previous appearance in the country.
A look at Lionel Messi’s achievements with Argentina
Lionel Messi has collected four major trophies with Argentina’s national team to date. He lifted the Copa America trophy in 2021 and then repeated the success by winning it again last year. In addition to these victories, Messi claimed the Finalissima title in 2022.
His most notable triumph came in December 2022 when Argentina secured the FIFA World Cup by defeating France in the final, a crowning moment in Messi’s career. Earlier, he was part of the Under-20 World Cup-winning squad in 2005, highlighting his long-standing impact at various levels of the national program.
In addition to these titles, Messi earned a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics with Argentina’s football team. Now 38 years old and playing for Inter Miami, he is preparing to defend the World Cup title at the upcoming 2026 tournament.
Significance of Messi’s India visit and upcoming plans
Messi’s return to India for the friendly match will be an exciting event for fans, especially in Kerala, where anticipation is high. Hosting a player of Messi’s caliber reflects growing interest in football within the region and strengthens the ties between Indian football enthusiasts and one of the sport’s greatest icons.
The friendly tour fits within Argentina’s broader schedule of FIFA-sanctioned fixtures as they build momentum ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Matches in diverse locations like Luanda, Angola, and Kerala demonstrate the team’s global engagement while offering fans worldwide a chance to witness elite football talent firsthand.