When Lionel Messi, Argentina captain and his national team were slated to play an international friendly in Kerala this October, the excitement was palpable across India. V Abdurahiman, Kerala’s Sports Minister, announced at 3:40 pm IST on 5 August 2025 that the match was officially cancelled. The Argentina Football Association (AFA) had pulled the plug despite receiving a Rs 130 crore (≈ $15.6 million) payment from the event sponsor, leaving fans bewildered and the state government scrambling for explanations.
Kerala’s Quest for a World‑Class Showcase
The story began in early 2023 when Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala’s Chief Minister, travelled to New Delhi to meet the Argentine ambassador. His goal? To secure a marquee football encounter that could put Kerala on the global sports map. Over the next eight months, Minister Abdurahiman repeatedly assured the public that the match would happen in October or November 2025, promising state‑grade security, hospitality and facilities for the Argentine delegation.
During that period, the state cleared the necessary paperwork with the Finance Department, the Reserve Bank of India and the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs. By February 2025 the Rs 130 crore fee had been wired to the sponsor, who in turn transferred it to the AFA as per the signed agreement.
The Agreement and the Money Trail
According to a report by India Today on 15 August 2025, the contract explicitly stipulated an October 2025 international break fixture, with the sponsor paying the full match fee upfront. The AFA’s initial communication was an email‑invoice offering the October window, which the Kerala government accepted after months of bureaucratic processing.
- June 2024 – Memorandum of understanding signed.
- July 2024 – Financial clearances obtained.
- February 2025 – Rs 130 crore transferred to sponsor.
- April 2025 – AFA confirms venue logistics.
- 5 August 2025 – Minister Abdurahiman announces cancellation.
The AFA later proposed moving the match to March 2026, a suggestion the Kerala government flat‑out rejected because the sponsor had already paid for an October 2025 event.
Why the AFA Backed Out
Official statements from the AFA have been conspicuously silent, but insiders point to a few plausible reasons. Former Indian international goalkeeper Victor Manjila, now a coach, told India Today that "the state had no football grounds of international standards," and that concerns over security, stadium certification and remuneration packages likely played a part.
Kerala’s monsoon climate has also historically disrupted sporting events. While heavy rains were cited for earlier postponements, the current cancellation appears linked more to contractual and infrastructure disagreements than weather.
Another angle involves the sponsor’s expectations. The sponsor’s contract explicitly tied the payment to an October 2025 date; any shift would breach commercial terms and potentially trigger legal disputes, a risk the AFA apparently chose to avoid.
Political Fallout and Fan Backlash
The announcement sparked immediate outrage on social media. Thousands of Kerala football fans posted screenshots of the cancelled ticket sales page, lamenting the lost chance to see Messi on home soil. Opposition parties in the state legislature seized the moment, accusing the government of “financial recklessness” and demanding a full audit of the Rs 130 crore transaction.
Minister Abdurahiman defended the decision, saying, "We agreed on an October 2025 match. The AFA breached that agreement, and we cannot renegotiate with the sponsor after the money was paid." His remark, however, did little to silence critics who argue that the state should have performed a more thorough due‑diligence check before committing such a large sum.
Beyond politics, the cancellation is a setback for Indian football development. Hosting a world‑class side would have offered local players exposure to elite training standards and could have accelerated infrastructure upgrades. Instead, the missed opportunity underscores a broader challenge: aligning international sporting calendars with Indian venues that meet FIFA‑approved criteria.
What Comes Next for Indian Football?
With the October 2025 window closed, the Kerala government is now exploring alternative avenues. Sources close to the Sports Ministry say officials are in talks with the Asian Football Confederation to bring a continental tournament qualifier to the state, potentially leveraging the already‑built temporary facilities.
Meanwhile, the AFA remains open to future collaborations, but any new deal will likely include stricter clauses on venue certification and contingency dates. For fans, the disappointment may linger, but the episode also serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of staging mega‑sporting events in emerging markets.
In the end, the saga highlights how a single contract, a massive payment, and a few missteps can ripple through politics, business and the hearts of millions of football lovers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Argentina Football Association cancel the Kerala match?
Insiders suggest the AFA cited inadequate stadium standards, security concerns and the contractual obligation tied to an October 2025 date. The sponsor’s payment was linked specifically to that window, making a shift to March 2026 financially risky for the association.
How much money was paid for the cancelled event?
The sponsor transferred Rs 130 crore (about $15.6 million) to the Argentina Football Association as the full match‑fee, according to the contract and reports from India Today.
What impact does this have on Kerala’s sports infrastructure plans?
The cancellation exposes gaps in Kerala’s stadium certification and may delay planned upgrades. However, the state is now exploring alternative events, such as an AFC qualifier, which could still drive infrastructure improvements.
Will Messi ever play in India?
While no official date is set, the AFA has left the door open for future collaborations. Any new match would likely require a venue meeting FIFA standards and a mutually agreeable calendar.
How are fans reacting to the news?
Fans expressed disappointment on social media, calling the cancellation a "betrayal" and demanding accountability from the state government. Local football clubs reported a spike in ticket refund requests and a surge in online petitions for a replacement event.