Kerala’s Sports Minister, V. Abdurahiman, has publicly accused the Argentine national football team of fraud, alleging that the team, led by Lionel Messi, accepted payment to play a football match in Kerala but ultimately failed to honour their commitment. The minister made the statement during an interview on a local television channel on Thursday.
Abdurahiman said, “I genuinely wanted the Argentina team and Lionel Messi to come to Kerala and play a match here. We held multiple discussions to make this happen. Securing sponsorship for such a high-profile international team, amounting to ₹250 crore, was no small task.”
Despite completing financial agreements, the minister claims that the Argentine team reneged on their promise. “After receiving the money, the Argentina team deceived us. We never expected such betrayal. They gave assurances but did not show up,” he added.
The minister also suggested that Kerala’s case is not isolated. According to Abdurahiman, “Our investigations indicate that the team has exhibited similar behaviour with at least five other countries. They took payment but did not participate in the scheduled matches. We will now have to pursue legal action to seek compensation.”
Plans to bring Argentina to Kerala had been in motion for some time. In 2025, the Kerala government held preliminary discussions with the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and FIFA to organise a friendly match. However, these negotiations stalled and failed to progress further. In August of the previous year, the minister himself announced that Argentina, led by Messi, would play an exhibition match in Kerala in March 2026. By November, media reports confirmed that the tour would not take place.
Although Argentina did not travel to Kerala, Lionel Messi did visit India later in the year. In December, he undertook the “GOAT Tour,” visiting Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and Gujarat. The Kolkata leg was marred by fan unrest and stadium damage due to mismanagement at Salt Lake Stadium.
A timeline of the events is summarised below:
| Date | Event | Location / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Preliminary discussions with AFA and FIFA | Kerala, India |
| Aug 2025 | Exhibition match announced | Kerala |
| Nov 2025 | Tour cancellation reported | Media reports |
| Dec 2025 | Messi’s “GOAT Tour” in India | Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Gujarat |
The allegations have stirred controversy in international football circles, raising questions about accountability and the conduct of high-profile teams in commercial engagements. Kerala’s administration and sports authorities are now reportedly preparing legal measures to recover the funds and ensure proper compensation.
This incident serves as a cautionary tale for organisers worldwide, highlighting the importance of contractual safeguards and thorough vetting when arranging matches with elite international teams.