Kerala Accuses Argentina of Cheating Over Cancelled Messi Visit
Kerala’s sports minister has gone public with a damning accusation: Argentina took Rs 250 crore from the state and never showed up.
Minister V Abdurahiman launched the allegation during an election campaign on Thursday, accusing the Argentine Football Association of deception after a much-anticipated visit by Lionel Messi and the national team to Kerala fell through — twice.
The match was first planned for November 2025 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi. AFA blamed Kerala’s “lack of readiness” and delays in logistics. The minister insisted they had rescheduled and received email confirmation from AFA that the team would come in March 2026. They never did.
“Argentina had done this to five other countries — they took money from those countries, but never went there to play,” Abdurahiman said.
The financial package, assembled through sponsors, reportedly ran close to Rs 250 crore. A huge ask for a state whose football culture — particularly in the Malappuram district — made a Messi appearance feel almost worth it.
Now the minister wants legal action. “A case will have to be filed against the Argentine football team, and they will have to pay compensation,” he said. Sponsors have also threatened AFA separately with legal measures.
Argentina and AFA are yet to respond publicly to the allegations.