Lionel Messi says 'not today' to Kochi

KOCHI: Football legend Lionel Messi and the World Cup-winning Argentina team cancelled their earlier planned visit to Kerala. The Argentine Football Association made the news official on Saturday.

The Argentine media reported, quoting AFA officials, that Kerala was not anywhere near meeting the standards demanded by the team. The AFA also alleged that the arrangements were not completed on time. The government and the sponsor had earlier promised that the Argentine team, led by Messi, would play in Kochi on November 17.

Meanwhile, a visibly furious sponsor met the press on Saturday and clarified that efforts are on to bring the football ‘messiah’ and his team to Kerala by the next game window, which is assumed to be in March of 2026.

The owners of the Reporter Broadcast Company, the organisers, justified their decision saying that the Kaloor Stadium, which was scheduled to host the match, failed to receive a FIFA clearance certificate, which dashed the hopes of Messi’s visit.

Argentina's next match is against Angola in November. Organisers, including Anto Augustine of the Reporter channel, justified the AFA decision, saying that the long travel from Angola to Kerala would likely create jet lag for players.

Sports minister V Abdurahiman responded that the government did everything possible in the book to bring the football virtuoso to Kochi, but alas, couldn't bring the deal to perfection.