Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Messi set to return to India after 14 years for exhibition match in Kerala

HSBC India confirmed that it had become the official partner of the Argentine team, aiming to collaborate and promote football in India

Messi set to return to India after 14 years for exhibition match in Kerala

Lionel Messi in action against Venezuela in Kolkata in 2011

LIONEL MESSI and the Argentina national team will visit Kerala in south India for an exhibition match in October.

It will mark Messi’s return to the country 14 years after his first visit.


In November last year, Kerala sports minister V Abdurahiman announced that Argentina would play two friendly matches in the city of Kochi.

Last Wednesday (26), HSBC India confirmed that it had become the official partner of the Argentine team, aiming to collaborate and promote football in India. The bank announced that the exhibition match will take place in October.

“Under this partnership, the Argentina national football team, including legendary player Lionel Messi, will visit India for an international exhibition match in October 2025,” HSBC India said.

Messi’s first appearance in India was in September 2011, when Argentina played a World Cup qualifying match against Venezuela in Kolkata. Argentina won the match 1-0 at the Salt Lake stadium.

More For You

England

England's coach Thomas Tuchel talks to striker Harry Kane as the players walk out onto the pitch to take part in a training session at Tottenham's training ground in Enfield, north London, on November 15, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

England to face Croatia in World Cup opener

ENGLAND will open their World Cup campaign next June against Croatia, a team they have faced in major tournaments before. Thomas Tuchel’s side will begin Group L on June 17, with the match to be played in either Dallas or Toronto.

The expanded 48-team World Cup includes several unfamiliar opponents, but Croatia will be a known challenge for England. Croatia beat England in the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, before England defeated them in the group stage of Euro 2021 on the way to the final.

Keep ReadingShow less