Kochi: A deal to bring the Argentina national football team, including Lionel Messi, to Kerala is now in limbo, according to Anto Augustin, Managing Director and Managing Editor of Reporter TV, who claims that ₹130 crore has already been paid to the Argentine Football Association (AFA).

Speaking at a press conference in Kochi, Augustin said that although the AFA had initially agreed to bring the team to play in Kerala this year, specifically in October, they have now indicated that the team will only be available in September next year.

Earlier, Kerala's Sports Minister informed the media that the plan to bring the 2022 World Cup-winning Argentina team to the state had been cancelled due to difficulties in scheduling the visit for October this year.

Responding to the development, Augustin said the agreement with AFA clearly mentioned the team would play in Kerala this year, and his organisation is only interested in hosting the match if it happens this year.

“If the deal is cancelled, it will lead to major financial losses. Legal action will be taken if the contract is breached,” Augustin stated.

He added that the ₹130 crore was transferred on June 6, after receiving all required permissions. “It was not borrowed or raised money; it was my personal investment. The contract includes a confidentiality clause, so we cannot publicly release the documents proving the transaction,” he said.

Augustin also revealed that they had received an email from AFA confirming receipt of the full amount as credit. However, he made it clear that his firm has no interest in bringing the team after the next FIFA World Cup and has already informed AFA of this position.

Despite repeated communication, there has been no official response from AFA on the current status of the agreement.

"They have not yet officially announced that the Argentina team will not be coming. Meanwhile, there are reports suggesting that the Argentina team, including Lionel Messi, may visit India in December," he said. However, Anto Augustin stated that if Messi is not coming to Kerala, he won’t be coming to any other part of India either, as the agreement with the Argentine Football Association was made specifically with them.

He also hinted at the possibility that AFA might be trying to renegotiate the deal, sensing Kerala’s eagerness to host the match. Preparations had already been made for a game at the Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.

“We will wait for two more weeks to get a final confirmation on whether they will come in October. If there’s no clarity, we will proceed with legal steps,” he warned.