Thiruvananthapuram—India’s football fans have been told to hold their breath. Last week, sponsors confirmed that Lionel Messi and the Argentina national team will not travel to Kerala in November after the Argentine Football Association (AFA) said the squad will play only in Angola next month.
The news comes just after the Kerala government and private sponsors had announced a high‑profile friendly for 17 November in Kochi. The cancellation has dampened the excitement that had built up around what many hoped would be Messi’s first match in India since 2011.
The AFA blamed the pull‑out on “lack of readiness” in Kerala and delays in meeting the logistical deadlines. Organisers are now looking at March 2026 as a possible reschedule, but that raises new questions. The state’s Assembly elections, likely to be held in April or May, could make an early 2026 fixture difficult.
The decision has sparked a political row. Congress leaders accused the Kerala government of announcing the event before receiving formal confirmation from the AFA. The saga highlights how political optics can collide with the practical need for clear communication in international sports plans.
For fans, the disappointment runs deep. Messi has a huge following in Kerala and across India. A match last year in Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium marked his first national‑team captaincy in 2011—an unforgettable moment. Now, as the new date still hangs in the balance, fans will keep watching the calendar for any sign of a historic football clash with Argentina.
Source: ianslive
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
