Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman alleged that Lionel Messi-led Argentina misled the state by failing to play a proposed friendly in Kochi despite Rs 250 crore in sponsorships. The cancellation sparked political controversy, with the AFA citing Kerala’s logistical delays, while fans’ excitement over the postponed match dissipated.

Kochi: Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman on Thursday alleged that the Lionel Messi-led Argentina national football team misled the state by failing to honour a proposed friendly match despite substantial financial commitments.

'We held extensive discussions and made every effort to bring Lionel Messi and the world champions to Kerala. It was a massive undertaking to secure sponsors for the Rs 250 crore required for the international team,” Abdurahiman told reporters in Malappuram, expressing disappointment over the collapse of the plan.

The entire episode had sparked a major controversy as the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) then questioned the lack of transparency in the deal. In October last year, uncertainty around Argentina’s much-publicised visit to India took a fresh turn when sponsors confirmed that Messi and his team would not visit Kerala in November.

The clarification followed an announcement by the Argentine Football Association (AFA) that the national side would play only in Angola during that period. The development dampened weeks of excitement among fans, with both the Kerala government and private sponsors having earlier announced a high-profile friendly in Kochi on November 17.