The reigning world champions and their talismanic captain, Lionel Messi, are reportedly not going to visit India in 2025. The news broke out in light of previous developments in 2024.
Lionel Messi and his World Cup-winning team were to visit India this year for a friendly against a top-ranked Asian side. Recent reports reveal that Argentina's trip has been cancelled.
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Lionel Messi and Argentina cancel their trip to India
Kerala state sports minister V Abdurahiman had previously announced that the state would host the world champions. Recent reports indicate that the organisers have not been able to raise the minimum amount of Rs 100 crore needed to host the matches. It has been reported that Rs 70 crore was required solely as the appearance fee for the Argentina team.
A report in the New Indian Express indicates that the deadline for confirming the agreement has passed, as the organisers did not meet the required financial commitments. Concurrently, Argentina is exploring alternative options. Argentine sources have reported that the world champions will play two matches in China and two others in Angola and Qatar. The schedule of the matches is yet to be officially revealed.
The state government failed to amass the gargantuan amount even after involving three different parties that included the All Kerala Gold and Silver Merchant Association, Reporter Broadcasting Company Pvt Ltd and HSBC India.
Even the Kerala state sports minister V. Abdurahiman preferred to not answer the question related to Messi and Argentina's arrival in a recent interview.
“The sponsors will respond to the queries,” the minister said in the interview.
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