Messi arriving? Argentina to play 2 matches in state: Minister

Published On : 2024-11-21T00:57:22+0530 [ IST ] | Author : Mayur_Tembhare
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Lionel Messi (Getty Images)THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: State sports minister V Abdurahiman on Wednesday assuredfootballfans that Argentina’s national team including Lionel Messi will play two friendlies in the state next

Representatives of the Argentina Football Association (AFA) will visit the state within six weeks to finalise the trip Abdurahiman said.

The rivals of La Albiceleste for the friendlies have not been finalised but indications are that it will be a prominent Asian side. It is learnt that AFA officials have sought a list of opponents from the state gov

The dates of matches will also be finalised after the AFA team’s visit but the state govt is learnt to be exploring the possibility of hosting them in Oct. The minister has sought the help of traders to mobilise funds for

Will Messi make it?

Messi a global icon enjoys a huge fan following in Kerala Kerala where football has long held a special place in the people's hearts. However it will be too premature to confirm his presence in the squad as the friendlies are still a long

Earlier in the year Messi didn't take the field for Inter Miami's friendly in Hong Kong which resulted in a severe backlash from local fans and organisers had to offer a 50% refund on tickets.

Challenges & concerns

The minister did not announce the venue of the matches but his reference to a 50,000-capacity stadium for hosting them is a hint at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi . The stadium regularly hosts Indian Super League matches with fans packed to the rafters but FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation officials have expressed

The government will have several issues to address like exit routes, toilet facilities and even structural stability.

We know there are problems at JNI. Though we can't rectify all of them we will surely work on security issues including those about sufficient exits and toilet facilities. The complaints about structural stability will also be looked

FIFA officials had raised concerns when they visited the stadium last time over the presence of cooking gas cylinders and inflammable objects at restaurants in the complex but the govt is hopeful of cooperation from trade organisations on the matter.

The Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram is the only alternative but it is now maintained and operated by the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA). However the govt doesn't need to tick all the boxes for international friendlies as against a FIFA-approved tournament.

Source : Reporters From Sunrise Chronicles

Tags : stadiumstadium last time , Asian , Argentina Football Association , That , Getty Images , Abdurahiman , It , State , Indian Super League , Kochi ,

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