Messi in Kerala? ₹130 Crore Deal Now Hanging by a Thread
It was supposed to be one of the biggest football spectacles India has ever seen, Lionel Messi and the world champions Argentina playing a friendly in Kerala this October. The money’s been paid, the hype was building, and the venue was ready. But now? The whole thing’s teetering like a last-minute VAR check.
The ₹130 Crore Game
Reporter Broadcasting Corporation, the Kerala government’s commercial partner for the event, claims they wired a jaw-dropping ₹130 crore to the Argentina Football Association (AFA) on June 6, 2025. The contract? Simple, bring Messi and co. to Thiruvananthapuram’s Greenfield Stadium for a friendly in October-November 2025.
But in true transfer-window plot-twist fashion, just days later the AFA allegedly sent a counter-offer: “Let’s do September 2026 instead.” That’s like buying match tickets and being told, “Same seats, just come back next year.”
The Sponsor’s Red Card to AFA
Anto Augustine, the man steering Reporter Broadcasting, isn’t having it. He says moving the match to 2026 would be a clear breach of contract and leave them staring at massive financial losses. His warning? Either Argentina turn up this year or see you in court.
“As per the agreement, we had sent the full amount and they (AFA) also acknowledged it. But after five days, we received an email asking whether we are okay with having the match in September 2026.” Anto Augustine, managing director of Reporter was quoted as saying by Onmanorama.
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Kerala Government’s Offside Trap
Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman has tried to keep things calm, saying the state isn’t directly responsible for the deal, it’s on the sponsor. But while he admits AFA has floated the postponement idea, he’s not thrilled about it either. He’s hinted that 2026 just won’t cut it for Kerala fans who were promised their date with football royalty this year.
Where Things Stand
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Money paid: ₹130 crore (non-refundable unless breach proven)
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Original match date: October-November 2025
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AFA’s new proposal: September 2026
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Sponsor’s stance: Refuses to delay, legal action on the table
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Government position: Not directly involved, but wants 2025 game
For now, there’s no official confirmation from AFA that the 2025 tour is off. The sponsor has up to two weeks to sort things out before lawyers get involved. Until then, the dream of seeing Messi in Kerala is alive but only just.
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