Lionel Messi to visit India next year, will feature alongside Argentina national team in friendly match, says Kerala govt

World Cup-winning Argentinian football team led by iconic Lionel Messi will play in Kochi next year, Kerala State Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman announced on Wednesday.

- 

Addressing the media here, Abdurahiman said this is the culmination of the talks he had with top officials of the Argentina Football Association (AFA), held in Spain in September. "Messi would be there, so would be the full-strength national team of Argentina. This has become a reality after the full support of the Kerala Sports Foundation supported people's football movement with the Kerala government taking over every aspect, including the security arrangements of the visiting team," he said.

Messi last played in India in 2011, when Argentina and Venezuela played an international friendly at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata that ended in a goalless draw.

"The official announcement will be done by a team comprising of Kerala and Argentinian officials next month. The officials from FIFA will be visiting Kochi to have an inspection of the venue and also will look into the security aspects," added Abdurahiman.