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Messi's Kerala Match Postponed: Why Argentina's Friendly Game Faces Delay

Messi's highly anticipated Kerala visit with the Argentina team has been postponed just weeks before the scheduled match. The friendly against Australia faced delays in obtaining necessary FIFA permissions for the November international window. Sponsors have confirmed the match will be rescheduled for a future date while providing no specific timeline. However, Indian fans can still look forward to Messi's individual GOAT India Tour covering multiple cities in December 2025.

Key Points: Messi Argentina Kerala Friendly Match Postponed Sponsors Confirm

  • Match postponed due to FIFA permission delays affecting November schedule
  • Argentina-Australia friendly was set for Kochi's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
  • Event sponsors confirm rescheduling for next international window
  • Messi's last India visit with Argentina team was in 2011 Kolkata friendly
2 min read

Messi's Kerala tour with Argentina team for friendly game postponed

Argentina's friendly match against Australia in Kerala postponed due to FIFA permission delays. Messi's team tour rescheduled while individual India tour confirmed for 2025.

"There was a delay in receiving FIFA's permission - Sponsors"

New Delhi, October 26

Argentina's World Cup-winning icon Lionel Messi's trip to Kerala for a friendly match has been postponed, sponsors announced on Saturday.

Argentina was supposed to play a friendly match against the Australian men's football team at Kochi's Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium on November 17, and the Argentina Football Association (AFA) had conducted an inspection of the venue back in September, as per Olympics.com.

The Kerala visit was part of the team's provisional itinerary for friendly matches scheduled for this year's FIFA International Window in November.

According to the sponsors, there was a delay in receiving FIFA's permission, and they added that the match would be rescheduled to the next international window. No dates have been announced as of yet.

Messi's last visit with the Argentina team to India came back in 2011, when they faced Venezuela in a friendly match at Kolkata's iconic Salt Lake Stadium.

However, he will visit India for an individual tour, the event titled 'GOAT India Tour 2025' will cover Kolkata (Eden Gardens on December 13), Mumbai (Wankhede Stadium on December 14) and Delhi (Arun Jaitley Stadium).

Messi, now 38, is an Olympic gold medalist, a FIFA World Cup 2022 winner, and a two-time Copa America champion. At club level, he is best known for his association with Barcelona from 2004-21, after which he represented Paris Saint-Germain. He is currently representing Inter Miami in the USA as part of Major League Soccer (MLS).

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Typical Indian sports administration delays. Why can't we get our act together when it comes to hosting international events? FIFA permissions should have been sorted months in advance. Very frustrating for football lovers in Kerala.
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Arjun K
At least he's coming for the individual tour in December! Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata - that's good coverage. But would have been amazing to see the full Argentina team play in Kerala. The 2011 Kolkata match was legendary!
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Sarah B
As someone who follows international football closely, these delays in FIFA permissions are quite common. Better to postpone than have a rushed event. Hope they find a good window next year. Messi at 38 is still magical to watch! âš½
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Vikram M
Kerala has such passionate football fans. This would have been huge for the state's sports culture. Hope the organizers learn from this and ensure better planning for future international events. #KeralaFootball
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Michael C
The ticket prices for these matches are usually crazy expensive. Maybe the delay will give them time to reconsider pricing so more genuine fans can afford to attend. Football should be accessible to all.
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Ananya R
Heartbroken! 😭 Had already planned the trip to Kochi with friends. But glad to know it's postponed, not cancelled. Will keep my fingers

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