FIFA World Champions Argentina likely to play friendly matches in Kerala next year
Thiruvananthapuram: The Argentinian national football team will visit Kerala for a couple of friendly matches. The FIFA world champions are expected to visit Kerala in October 2025.
As per the reports, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) has expressed interest in cooperating with various activities of the Kerala Football Association, including coaching 5000 students from the football-crazy state. Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman broke the exciting news through a Facebook post.
The announcement was made after the Minister held an online discussion with the representatives of the Argentine Football Association. The officials who participated in the meeting include Pablo Diaz (Head of International Relations at Argentina FA), Pranabjyoti Nath IAS (Kerala Sports Secretary), and Navas Meeran (President of Kerala Football Association).
Kerala Minister’s Facebook post
“Remember, last year India had declined an offer put forward by the Argentinian national team to play football in our country citing huge costs involved. The news was heartbreaking for fans of Argentina across the country, especially for those in Kerala. Now that is what forced us to send an invitation to the world champions to come and play in our state. And the champion team, which is very well aware of the love and support they receive from Kerala, gleefully accepted our request,” says V Abdurahiman.
Apparently, AFA has expressed interest in developing the game in the state that celebrates football.
“Team Argentina is scheduled to play two friendly matches in Kerala. Initially, they had expressed their willingness to arrive in the state in June 2024. However, since it will be difficult for us to host them during the monsoon season, we requested more time. Now they have agreed to visit Kerala in October 2025. We are aware that it is a very challenging task. But I am sure that it would be the biggest gift we could provide to the football fans in the state and the event is sure to boost the confidence of the sportsmen in Kerala. The excitement ever since the news came out gives us the confidence to move forward,” said the Kerala Sports Minister.
It may be noted that the Minister had a similar social media post in June 2023. His social media post appeared at a time when the All India Football Federation (AIFF) turned down an opportunity for the Indian National Football Team to face Lionel Messi-led Argentina in a friendly match. He expressed disappointment over AIFF’s decision and highlighted possible outcomes for Indian football if the country had hosted the match. The minister elaborated on Kerala’s love for football, especially towards Argentina and Brazil. He also listed the various ways by which the state government tried to have a rapport with Argentina.