Lionel Messi to land in Kochi in November for friendly match: Reports

Kochi: Lionel Messi and the Argentina national football team will reach Kochi in November for a friendly fixture. According to media reports, the Kerala government has granted approval to host the match at Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi.

Officials highlighted Kochi’s advanced infrastructure and facilities capable of accommodating international players and VIP guests. However, specific details regarding the venue and other arrangements are still awaited.

Earlier on August 23, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) officially confirmed that Messi and the team would be visiting Kerala between November 10 and 18, 2025. The announcement generated excitement among football enthusiasts across the state, eager to witness the World Cup-winning captain and his squad in action. The AFA shared details about the venues for this year’s friendly matches through social media.

In addition to Kerala, matches will also be held in Angola. However, the opponents for Messi’s squad have not yet been finalised. Prior to the match in Kerala, the team will be playing in the United States in October.

The AFA’s announcement puts an end to months of speculation and misinformation that had cast doubts on Messi’s visit. False claims, particularly in May 2025, suggested that the Argentine team would not travel to Kerala due to scheduling conflicts with FIFA’s international match window.