MALAPPURAM, Kerala — Kerala’s Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman has reignited both excitement and skepticism after once again asserting that Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi will play in India next year.
According to the minister, the state recently received an email from the Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirming that Messi and his team will visit Kerala in March. “Two days ago, we received an email from the AFA team confirming their visit to Kerala in March,” Abdurahiman said, adding that the match had originally been planned for November but was postponed due to infrastructural issues at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi.
The announcement has triggered a fresh wave of public doubt, as the state government had previously made similar claims that never materialized. Critics and opposition leaders have questioned the absence of official agreements or verified documentation from the AFA, raising concerns about transparency and the procedures followed in planning what is being billed as a major international sporting event.
Opposition parties have also questioned why parts of the Kochi stadium were dismantled for renovation despite no signed deal being in place. The lack of clarity regarding sponsorship, contractual obligations, and event logistics has put pressure on the government to provide concrete proof.
Adding to the controversy are reports that the event’s potential sponsors have alleged links to the Muttil tree-felling case—an environmental scandal that had previously prompted the state to promise it would avoid associations with tainted entities.
For now, Messi’s supposed visit remains an unverified claim, leaving fans hopeful but skeptical. Many are calling for official confirmation from the Argentine Football Association or FIFA before believing that the World Cup–winning captain will set foot in Kerala.
If the visit does happen, it could offer a major political boost to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is currently facing scrutiny over multiple alleged scandals as the state gears up for Assembly elections. Until then, the prospect of Messi’s appearance in India remains more political talking point than confirmed sporting milestone. (Source: IANS)
