Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates are expected to have a friendly match against India in 2025.

Recently, Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman has officially confirmed that Lionel Messi and the Argentina national team will come to India to play an international friendly match in 2025. The match is expected to take place in Kerala, marking Messi’s return to the country after 14 years.

Speaking at a press conference, Minister Abdurahiman stressed that the match would be held under the full supervision of the state government and expressed confidence in Kerala’s ability to host a historic event. “All financial support for hosting this important football event will be provided by the state’s businessmen,” he said.

Although the Argentine Football Association (AFA) has not made an official announcement, the Kerala state government is said to have reached an agreement to host the reigning world champions in the state. La Albiceleste’s opponent has not been revealed yet, but many sources believe it will be a top Asian team. According to media reports, there are expected to be two international friendlies.

In addition, the Economic Times report also revealed that a delegation led by Minister Abdurahiman was sent to Spain to conduct high-level discussions with AFA. The minister said that the discussions took place in a positive atmosphere and brought many positive results.

In addition, the Kerala government and AFA are also in talks to set up football academies in the state. These academies are expected to nurture local talent, improve the quality of football in the region, and make Kerala the football hub of India. With its long history of football, the state stands to benefit greatly from international collaborations.

Messi last played in India in 2011, when he and Argentina faced Venezuela at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. The match attracted a huge crowd with Nicolas Otamendi scoring the only goal, and also marked the beginning of Messi’s captaincy in La Albiceleste’s colours.

Recently, El Pulga and his teammates also had their last match in 2024 with an easy victory over the Peru national team in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, thereby getting closer to a ticket to attend the biggest football festival on the planet taking place nearly 2 years later.