In a disappointing turn of events for football enthusiasts in Kerala, the long-awaited visit of the Argentine national team, led by superstar Lionel Messi, has been cancelled. The decision was announced by Sports Minister V Abdurahiman on Monday following reports that the Argentine Football Association (AFA) had breached an agreement reached earlier this year for Argentina to play in Kerala during October 2025.
The cancellation comes as a blow to fans who have been eagerly awaiting the visit since the initial agreement between the State Government and the AFA was made in January 2025. Despite repeated assurances, the visit was initially rescheduled for March 2026, but the State Government declined the arrangement proposed by the Argentine Football Association.
The breach of the original agreement, according to sources close to the negotiations, occurred when the AFA failed to meet the agreed-upon terms regarding the choice of stadium and other logistical arrangements for the match. This development has forced the State Government to cancel the visit, as it could not uphold its promise to Kerala football fans without a mutually beneficial agreement in place.
The Centre for Sports Dentistry, which was set to provide dental care services during the match, has expressed regret over the cancellation, citing the potential economic benefits and opportunities for public engagement that the event would have provided.
As of now, there are no plans for Argentina to visit Kerala in the near future. Football fans in Kerala are encouraged to continue supporting their local teams and stay tuned for further developments regarding international sports events in the state.
