Lionel Messi To Play In Kerala?
After several speculations, the wait is over, Lionel Messi and the Argentina team will fly down to Kerala for an exhibition match in October 2025. Messi had earlier visited India to play a FIFA World Cup qualifying round match against Venezuela in Kolkata in September 2011.
On Wednesday, HSBC India became the first official partner of the Argentina team to collaborate and promote football in India and announced that the match will be held in October. “Under this partnership, the Argentina national football team, including legendary player Lionel Messi, will visit India for an international exhibition match in October 2025,” a release from HSBC India said.
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AFA President Claudio Fabián Tapia had called the HSBC deal a “new milestone” in the team’s international expansion. The agreement covers India and Singapore, aligning with Argentina’s 2025-26 competitive season ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The association’s Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer, Leandro Petersen, had stated that this endeavor forms part of their strategic vision to broaden their presence across significant international markets.
Sandeep Batra, Head of International Wealth and Premier Banking at HSBC India, said, “As we join forces with one of the most revered teams in the world of football, we look forward to creating unforgettable experiences for fans and customers alike and supporting the Argentine team in their journey towards the 2026 World Cup.”
Meanwhile, Messi’s former club, Barcelona, is also set to visit India in April for an El Clásico match against Real Madrid legends. The iconic battle will unfold at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
