'Messi, Argentina team will visit Kerala this November'; Kerala Sports Minister vows, yet again

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sports Minister V Abdurahiman is showing no signs of backing out as he yet again vowed to bring the Argentina team and superstar Lionel Messi to Kerala this November. The minister said that Messi's visit to other states in India is part of a private visit and is not any way related to the schedules of the Argentine Football Association.

“Argentina team never made any official clarification of cancelling the Kerala visit. As per the information received, the team will be in Kerala this November. The team has requested to beef up the security arrangements. There was concern when the first sponsor changed. However, the team expressed their willingness to play in Kerala with the new sponsor.

My visit to Spain is now all over the news. It was not a futile trip to meet with the Argentina team. There was a discussion with the Sports Council of Spain regarding the construction of the stadium in Thiruvananthapuram,” the minister clarified.

Lionel Messi will reportedly visit India in December to attend private events in Ahmedabad, Mumbai and New Delhi. The promoter of the events, Satadru Dutta, had announced that Messi's managers have given final approval for his visit to India.

Messi will arrive in Kolkata on the night of December 12. He will attend events in Ahmedabad on the 13th, Mumbai on the 14th, and Delhi on the 15th. He is also likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cricketers Sachin Tendulkar, Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and tennis player Leander Paes.