Lionel Messi's Argentina Drop Kerala Plans Due To Scheduling Clash: Minister
Argentina's football team and Lionel Messi will not visit Kerala, announced V Abdurahiman. Messi's India tour includes Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi, meeting PM Modi.
Argentina's national football team, led by the legendary Lionel Messi, will not be visiting Kerala, state Sports Minister V Abdurahiman announced on Monday.
Previously, the minister had asserted that the Messi-led Argentina team would visit the state as the government had announced, and that the sponsor had already covered the match fee for the event.
Addressing reporters on Monday, he revealed that the foreign team informed them about facing difficulties in visiting Kerala in October this year. However, the sponsor indicated, 'we are interested only in a visit in the month of October."
Earlier, Abdurahiman had mentioned that the team was more likely to come in October or November this year, and they would be treated as state guests, with their security, accommodation, and other facilities provided by the government.
Where Will Messi Visit On His Visit To India?
If everything goes according to plan, football fans in Kolkata will have their first glimpse of the iconic Lionel Messi after a decade. Kolkata will be the first stop on Messi's whirlwind tour across Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi, concluding with a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
On December 13, Messi's schedule begins at 9 am with a meet-and-greet event, followed by the unveiling of a 70-foot statue of him at Lake Town Sribhumi on VIP Road. Organisers claim this will be the tallest statue of the World Cup winner globally. He will then proceed to Eden Gardens for the GOAT Concert and GOAT Cup from 12 noon to 1.30 pm. Messi will play in a seven-a-side soft-ball game with Sourav Ganguly, Leander Paes, John Abraham, and Bhaichung Bhutia. The event will be ticketed, with prices starting at Rs 3,500, expecting a crowd of 68,000. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is expected to felicitate Messi.
In the evening, Messi will travel to Ahmedabad for a private event hosted by the Adani Foundation. He will then head to Mumbai for events on December 14, including a meet-and-greet at CCI at 3.45 pm, followed by the GOAT Concert and GOAT Cup at Wankhede Stadium at 5.30 pm. Despite rumours, Messi will not play cricket; the celebration will feature Indian celebrities. He will also interact with the Indian football team, including Sunil Chhetri.
On December 15, Messi will be in New Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, followed by a GOAT Concert and GOAT Cup at Feroz Shah Kotla. At each city, Messi will conduct a masterclass with children to inspire the next generation of Indian footballers. There will be no event in Kerala. Messi is expected to travel with a large entourage, including footballers.
Lionel Messi's Proposed Itinerary:
December 12: Arrival in Kolkata (10pm).
December 13 (Kolkata): 9am — Meet and greet event; Statue unveiling (70-feet) at Lake Town Sribhumi, VIP Road; 12 noon to 1.30pm — GOAT Concert at Eden Gardens followed by GOAT Cup; December 13 (Evening): Adani Foundation private event at Shantigram, Ahmedabad.
December 14 (Mumbai): Meet and greet at CCI (3.45pm); GOAT Concert at Wankhede Stadium (5.30pm).
December 15 (New Delhi): Meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi; GOAT Concert at Feroz Shah Kotla (2.15pm).
In August 2011, Messi made his first appearance in India, landing in Kolkata to play an exhibition match against Venezuela at Salt Lake Stadium, which they won 1-0. His arrival sparked 'Messi fever" in Kolkata, with thousands of fans lining the streets and packing the 75,000-capacity stadium.
(With inputs from PTI)
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