Kerala Sports Minister denies dates of Lionel Messi & Argentina's visit to India

Sports Minister earlier said that Lionel Messi & Argentina are set to visit Kerala from October 25 to November 2

V. Abdurahiman, the Sports Minister of Kerala, has been a reason for excitement and confusion for football fans across India in recent times after he announced at a private function that Argentina, along with Lionel Messi, would visit Kerala from October 25 to November 2.

He later refuted his own statement that it was a motivational speech to the kids and not an announcement. Since then, things have remained confusing for the fans as that sudden change of stand was utterly unexpected.

Controversy Over Dates

The dates announced by the minister had clearly conflicted with the international football calendar. The international break in October will get over on October 14, and dates of October 25 to November 2 are out of the FIFA window for national team matches. That was one reason why fans had doubts from the very beginning.

Later, a source close to the minister told Khel Now that discussions with the Argentina national team were going on through official channels, but the dates had not been finalised as of yet. “The dates aren’t confirmed yet. We contacted the team through official channels. Argentina will play in India this year, and the minister will announce the dates and details at a conference soon,” the source said, giving some hope to fans who were badly waiting for clarity over the tour.

Fan Reactions and Larger Debate

We, Khel Now previously did an exclusive interview with the minister, wherein he spoke about plans involving the visit of Argentina, the ISSK 2024, and other related developments. Now, those plans appear closer to getting real.

Also Read: We expect to host Argentina in 2025, says Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman

However, the recent developments have sent shockwaves among fans and serious debates. While some deem the probable visit by Argentina as a golden opportunity to focus the spotlight on Indian football, others feel that such a high-profile event is not needed due to its potentially high costs. While football fans are still awaiting confirmation of the tour, the incessant rumours have whipped up a stormy debate among the football fans. Whatever the case may be, it has certainly generated serious excitement in football in India.

Fans are eagerly awaiting the minister’s final word, which could end the speculation and provide clarity in the coming days. Till then, the Indian football fraternity is divided between hope and scepticism over what such a high-profile friendly tour would bring. One thing is sure: Kerala football is in the headlines, and the debate is far from over.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.