Football: Huge update on Lionel Messi’s Argentina coming to India
Kerala braced for La Albiceleste's arrival later this year
While Lionel Messi is currently hard at work with Inter-Miami at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the little maestro is now expected to visit India with the Argentine national team once the MLS season ends later this year.
Last year, it was announced that La Albiceleste would visit the state of Kerala for a friendly match, but reports of a breakdown in terms between parties had caused the tour to be placed on hold and at risk of being called off altogether.
However, Indian football fans have been given renewed hope of seeing the 8-time Ballon d’Or winner in the flesh, with Kerala sports minister V Abdurahiman confirming that the World Cup winner will visit the state during the October-November international window.
It is understood that the cause for the delay was due to late payments to the Argentine national team, but Abdurahiman reaffirmed that:
"The sponsor has now paid the amount. There are no remaining obstacles. As per the FIFA window, October-November is the ideal period for such international friendlies. So that timeframe is likely for us as well."
As of now, the exact schedule for Argentina’s tour to India has yet to be confirmed, as La Albiceleste are also expected to travel to China, Qatar, and Africa within the next 12 months. The Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram is slated to host the friendly matches.
Inter Miami stumble in FIFA Club World Cup opener
While Inter Miami were in great shape in the MLS across the first half of the US top-flight season, The Herons stumbled out of the blocks at the Club World Cup on Sunday when they were held to a goalless draw by African powerhouse Al Ahly in their tournament opener.
The Egyptian Premier League champions went toe-to-toe with their American counterparts and now lead the Group A standings following an opening-round stalemate between Porto and Palmeiras, who round out the group.
Against the Red Devils, Messi was denied a storybook stoppage-time game-winner when Mohamed El Shenawi pulled off a stunning save, tipping the Argentine superstar’s 20-yard curler onto the crossbar.
Messi and co will return to action on Thursday, June 19, at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Georgia, where they will face Porto in their second match of the group. Check out our Inter Miami vs Porto prediction.
