World Champions Argentina to Play Football Friendly in Kerala This November
The reigning FIFA World Cup champions, Argentina, led by captain Lionel Messi, are confirmed to play an international friendly match in Kerala in November 2025. Kerala's Sports Minister confirmed the news after receiving an official communication from the Argentine Football Association. This will be Messi's first visit to India with the World Cup-winning squad, sparking immense excitement across the country. The match, expected to be held at Thiruvananthapuram's Greenfield Stadium, will be part of Argentina's preparation for 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Unpacked:
Argentina last played in India in 2011, facing Venezuela in a friendly at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium. Lionel Messi played a key role, assisting Nicolás Otamendi’s decisive goal in a 1-0 win. The match drew a crowd of around 70,000 and was highly memorable for Indian football fans.
This visit marks Messi’s first trip to India since winning the World Cup and only his second ever with the national team. As the reigning world champions, Argentina’s appearance—especially led by Messi, a global icon—has amplified excitement and is seen as a milestone event for Indian football enthusiasts.
No, the opponents for Argentina’s friendly match in Kerala have not yet been determined. The Argentine Football Association stated that the fixtures and opponents for the November international window, including the game in India, are still being finalized.
Besides the friendly in Kerala, there are reports of a separate “GOAT Tour of India 2025” in December, where Messi is expected to visit cities like Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. The tour may include events such as a statue unveiling and a special ‘GOAT Cup’.