Messi to play friendly match in Kerala in November: Officials
While the date for the friendly match has not been confirmed, it is expected to be in November.
Argentina’s national football team, including its star striker Lionel Messi, is expected to play a friendly match in Kerala’s Kochi in November, officials familiar with the matter said.
Hector Daniel Cabrera, the venue manager of the Argentina Football Association (AFA), landed in Kochi on Tuesday and held talks with Kerala sports minister V Abdurahiman about the arrangements being made in connection with the visit of the world champions.
Also Read: Cristiano Ronaldo moves past Lionel Messi with a wonder-goal for Portugal, international record well within sight
Cabrera visited the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which hosts the Indian Super League (ISL) games of the Kerala Blasters, along with the minister and officials of the Reporter Broadcasting Company (RBC), which is sponsoring the visit of the team, and assessed the facilities at the stadium.
“I am going to see the hotels where the team will stay and the stadium (where the match will be played) to assess the conditions before the team’s arrival in November. I am grateful to the Kerala government for arranging my visit,” Cabrera told reporters. He is expected to fly back to his country on Wednesday.
Abdurahiman said the repair work at the stadium for the match will be completed in a month.
“We confirmed Kochi as the venue due to the connectivity access to the airport and sufficient number of hotels. Fans from the Malabar region can also travel easily. The CM will announce the dates for the friendly match,” he said.
While the date for the friendly match has not been confirmed, it is expected to be in November. The opponent has not been picked either. Reports said Australia has evinced interest in playing the match.
