Latest news with #ArgentinaFootballAssociation
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First Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Good news for Messi fans in India! Kerala minister says payment made to bring Argentina legend
Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman has confirmed that Lionel Messi and the Argentina football team will visit India in October-November for a friendly match. He said that the sponsor has cleared the payment. read more Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman on Saturday confirmed that in October-November. This after a section of the media reported that the Argentina team had cancelled their scheduled visit to Kerala due to some payment dispute with the sponsors. Abdurahiman took to his Facebook account to clear the air on Messi's potential visit to India. He said that Messi will come and thanked the sponsor, the Reporter Broadcasting Company, for clearing the payment. The Kerala government had earlier announced Messi's visit to the state, but several reports later suggested that the Argentina team might not come. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Both Abdurahiman and the sponsor, Reporter Broadcasting Company, had strongly rejected the reports then and reiterated that the world champions would play a friendly match in the southern state. More from Football Kerala minister confirms Messi's visit While talking to the media on Saturday, Abdurahiman said there was some delay in the payment of the match fee by the sponsor and it is resolved now. 'The sponsor has paid the amount now. There is no other obstacles in this regard. As per the FIFA window, October-November is the time allotted for the world teams to take part in such events. So, the same time is likely to be allotted for us also,' he said. As per the contract between the sponsor and the Argentina Football Association (AFA), the team management would reach the state after the payment of the match fee and they would announce the date and other details through a joint statement, he said. While replying to a question, Abdurahiman said it was the sponsor who informed the government about the payment of the match fee and they are yet to get an update from the Argentina team management in this regard. 'The sponsors said they settled the contract amount to be paid before the match. The government has no connection with any financial dealings in this regard. The contract is between the sponsor and the team management,' he said. The proposed friendly match is more likely to be held at the greenfield stadium here as it meets international standards. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The minister further said the only objective of the government is to instill fresh hopes in the state sports sector by bringing the world champions. (With agency inputs)
India Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Lionel Messi coming to India? Kerala minister provides big update
Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman on Saturday, June 6, reaffirmed that the Argentina national football team, led by global icon Lionel Messi, will indeed visit the state. Kerala government had previously announced in 2024 that they are arranging a friendly game for there was not update about the game even after 6 months. The minister on Saturday, confirmed that the event's sponsor has now paid the required match fee, clearing the way for the highly anticipated to the minister, the team is expected to arrive between October and November this year. They will be treated as state guests, with the Kerala government providing for their security, accommodation, and other necessary arrangements. This announcement rekindles hope among football fans in the state, following earlier media reports that claimed Argentina had cancelled the tour due to alleged breaches of contract by the sponsor. Both Minister Abdurahiman and the sponsor, Reporter Broadcasting Company, had denied those claims, maintaining that the World Cup champions would play a friendly match in Kerala as minister reignited public excitement on Friday through a brief Facebook post stating, 'Messi will come,' and thanked the sponsor for making the event to the media on Saturday, Abdurahiman acknowledged there had been a delay in the payment of the match fee but said the issue had since been sponsor has now paid the amount. There are no remaining obstacles. As per the FIFA window, October-November is the ideal period for such international friendlies. So that timeframe is likely for us as well," he to the agreement between the sponsor and the Argentina Football Association (AFA), the team will confirm the tour and release further details in a joint statement once the payment is officially to questions, the minister clarified that the financial aspects of the deal are solely between the sponsor and AFA.'The government has no involvement in the financial dealings. The contract is entirely between the sponsor and the team management. We were informed by the sponsor that the match fee has been settled,' he friendly match is expected to be hosted at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, which meets global standards for such high-profile emphasised that the state government's main objective is to bring fresh energy to Kerala's sports sector by hosting the world champions and inspiring the Reel
News18
3 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Minister Confirms Messi's Argentina Will Play In Kerala: 'No Further Obstacles'
Last Updated: Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman is confident that Lionel Messi's Argentina will visit Kerala in October or November. Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman confirmed on Saturday that the Argentina national football team, captained by Lionel Messi, will visit the state as previously announced. He confirmed the sponsor's payment of the match fee. Abdurahiman stated the team's visit is anticipated in October or November. They will be accorded state guest status, with the government providing security, accommodation, and other necessities. This reassurance comes despite earlier media reports suggesting cancellation due to contract breaches by the sponsors, keeping hopes alive for Kerala's football fans. Both Abdurahiman and the sponsor, Reporter Broadcasting Company, refuted previous reports, maintaining the world champions' commitment to a friendly match in Kerala. The Minister revived the topic with a Facebook post on Friday, stating, 'Messi will come," and expressing gratitude to the sponsor. On Saturday, Abdurahiman clarified to the media that a delay in the match fee payment had been resolved. 'The sponsor has paid the amount. There are no further obstacles. The FIFA window in October-November is typically allotted for international team events. We expect a similar allocation," he said. According to the contract between the sponsor and the Argentina Football Association (AFA), the team management will jointly announce the date and other details after the fee payment. Abdurahiman added that the sponsor had informed the government of the payment, but they await confirmation from the Argentina team management. 'The sponsors have settled the pre-match contract amount. The government has no financial involvement; the contract is strictly between the sponsor and the team management," he explained. The proposed friendly match will likely occur at the international-standard Greenfield Stadium. The minister emphasised the government's sole aim is to invigorate Kerala's sports sector by hosting the world champions. First Published: June 07, 2025, 15:35 IST
NDTV
16-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Lionel Messi's Argentina To Miss Game In Kerala In 2026
Kerala football buffs will now have to wait to see their favourite player Lionel Messi and his World Cup-winning Argentine football team play on Kerala soil. It was in November last year Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman and his team after huge efforts involving several rounds of discussions with Argentina Football Association (AFA) following a meeting held in Spain, it was announced that Messi and his team will play at least one international match in Kerala as part of their exhibition matches schedule. But, with the schedule of Argentina for 2026 now out, Kerala is no where in the scheme of things as the South American nation is scheduled to play in China, Qatar and Africa. Lionel Messi last played in India in 2011, when Argentina faced Venezuela in an international friendly at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Among the enthusiastic fans in attendance were several football lovers from Kerala, including the current CPI(M) General Secretary, M.A. Baby, who had come to cheer for Messi. Interestingly, in the football-crazy districts of Malappuram and Kozhikode, the Argentina national team enjoys the largest support base—a trend that has continued for many years. This support reached new heights after Messi led Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Abdurahiman, a native of Malappuram, has been working tirelessly to bring Lionel Messi to play in Kerala. Last year, he led a delegation to Spain and announced that the much-anticipated event would take place in the last quarter of 2026. However, the hopes of both Abdurahiman and the Kerala government have been dashed, and the wait continues for football enthusiasts in the state. More importantly, Kerala is set to go to the polls in April/May 2026 to elect a new government and the next edition of the FIFA World Cup is also scheduled to take place in 2026.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Why is Lionel Messi's Argentina not coming to India?
Lionel Messi Kerala football fans ' hopes of watching Lionel Messi and the World Cup-winning Argentine team play on their home soil have been dashed, as Argentina's 2026 schedule reveals matches planned in China, Qatar, and Africa instead. This development comes after Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman and his team had announced potential exhibition matches in Kerala following discussions with the Argentina Football Association in Spain last November. The last time Messi played in India was in 2011, during an international friendly match against Venezuela at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium. The match attracted numerous football enthusiasts from Kerala, including current CPI(M) General Secretary M.A. Baby. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The districts of Malappuram and Kozhikode in Kerala have long been strongholds of support for the Argentine national team. This support intensified after Argentina's victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar under Messi's leadership. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Abdurahiman, who hails from Malappuram, had been actively working to bring Messi to Kerala. Following his delegation's visit to Spain last year, he had announced the possibility of matches in the last quarter of 2026. Quiz: Who's that IPL player? The timing of the proposed matches was significant, as Kerala is scheduled to hold its government elections in April/May 2026, coinciding with the next FIFA World Cup. Virat Kohli retires from Test cricket after 14 years The football-loving state will now have to wait longer to see if their dream of hosting Messi and the Argentine team can materialize in the future. The current schedule of Argentina's matches does not include any games in Kerala. The efforts made by the Kerala government and Minister Abdurahiman to bring the World Cup champions to the state have not yielded the desired results. The football enthusiasts in Kerala, known for their passionate support of the Argentine team, will need to continue their wait to see their favorite players in action on home ground. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
