India, a country where cricket is considered a religion, has had a significant increase in football supporters all over country since the inception of the Indian Super League. Demographically, two states truly regard football as a religion: West Bengal and Kerala. Naturally, the buzz about Lionel Messi and his team potentially visiting Kerala comes as an exciting surprise for fans across the country, especially in a state where football is a way of life.
Is it True that Messi is Coming?
On Friday, September 2, 2011, one of the game’s greats, Lionel Messi, along with the Argentina National Team, set foot in India for the first time. They played a friendly match at the packed Salt Lake Stadium, attended by approximately 70000 spectators.
After 14 long years, the Argentina National Team is expected to set foot in India in 2025 following their recent World Cup glory. Can you guess who will be hosting them this time? It will be in a place where football is considered a religion, known for Sevens football, and home to a large fan base in the Indian Super League. It’s a place where the World Cup is celebrated like a festival. You may have guessed it by now: Yes, it’s happening at the Gods Own Country also known as Kerala.
The Sports Minister of Kerala, Shri V. Abdurahiman, has confirmed that the Kerala Government has secured a formal agreement with the Argentina Football Association (AFA) to bring the World Cup-winning team to Kerala. The event will be organized by the government and fully sponsored by the business community in Kerala, including the Kerala Gold and Silver Merchants Association and the Traders and Industrialists Coordinating Committee.
In addition to this event, the AFA is also interested in establishing football academies in Kerala in collaboration with the state government. This initiative is expected to enhance the sports infrastructure and overall quality in the state. The official announcement will be made by the AFA during their visit to Kerala in the next 1.5 months.
Kerala’s Love for Football
Let me take you on a journey through Kerala’s rich football fan culture. Football was introduced to Kerala by the British in the 20th century. The RB Ferguson Club, one of India’s oldest football clubs, played a significant role in promoting the sport in the region.
During that time, South American teams dominated football. Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay collectively won eight World Cups in the 20th century. It is said that most people in Kerala watched their first World Cup in 1986, during which they fell in love with the legendary Diego Maradona. This admiration continued with the 1994 and 2002 World Cups, where Brazil emerged victorious with stars like Ronaldo Fenômeno, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Romário, and Roberto Carlos lighting up the pitch.
Malayalis are always known for their sociocultural dualities, be it Mohanlal-Mammooty, Congress and Communists or even Vijay and Suriya. They eventually pick a side. Similarly, Argentina and Brazil’s rivalry is immense in the state. This rivalry is so intense that it can be compared to the excitement of an India vs. Pakistan match.
In October 24, 2012, a massive crowd gathered in front of the Kannur Jawaharlal Municipal Stadium for the inauguration of a showroom for Boby Chemmanur International Jewelers. The chief guest at the event was none other than the legendary Argentinian footballer, Diego Armando Maradona, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. This marked the first occasion that a player of his stature visited Kerala, drawing thousands of fans from various parts of the state to Kannur just to catch a glimpse of the legend. The experience was certainly rewarding. Maradona spent nearly 30 minutes interacting with the fans, blowing kisses, showcasing his remarkable football skills, and kicking footballs into the crowd.
Thirteen years later, another Argentinian player who idolizes and shares a similar playing style with Maradona, Lionel Andrés Messi, is likely set to return to India for the second time. Messi, widely regarded as the greatest player of this generation and one of the best to ever play the beautiful game, has the opportunity to showcase his talent in Kerala, in front of his large fanbase and that of Argentina.
However, there has been some backlash regarding the decision to bring the Argentinian team to Kerala at a considerable expense. Many, including Indian football player Ashique Kuruniyan, have voiced strong arguments against this. Kuruniyan stated that if the state government is genuinely interested in supporting football, they should invest more in grassroots development and enhance the infrastructure for players to practice. Additionally, the condition of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi is deteriorating day by day, with viral clips on social media highlighting its damaged areas. It will be interesting to see how the government addresses these issues before the arrival of the Argentina national team.
In my opinion, as long as the government is not sponsoring the match and Messi and his team’s visit, I have no issues with it. This initiative will certainly boost the popularity of Kerala and pave the way for more international games to be hosted in India. Additionally, if the academies are established as planned, they will improve the quality of football among young talents and create numerous job opportunities.
