Fri May 16 15:25:42 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and news article rewrite based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

Dreams of Argentinian football legend Lionel Messi playing in Kerala, India, have been dashed after the Argentina Football Federation (AFA) released their 2025 itinerary without including a stop in India. The Kerala Sports Minister announced last November that Argentina would play two exhibition matches in Kerala, but the AFA has not officially confirmed this. Football fans in Kerala are disappointed and plan to protest the cancellation, blaming the minister for raising false hope. The potential visit was projected to cost around ₹100 crore, funded by sponsorships.

**News Article:**

**Messi No-Show: Kerala’s Football Dreams Crushed as Argentina Snubs India Visit**

**KOCHI, India – May 16, 2025** – The hopes of thousands of fervent football fans in Kerala, India, who dreamt of witnessing Lionel Messi play in their state, have been dashed as the Argentina Football Federation (AFA) released their 2025 schedule, conspicuously omitting any Indian venue.

Last November, Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman announced that the World Cup champions, headlined by Messi, would play exhibition matches against Japan and Qatar in Kerala. This sparked intense excitement in the state, known for its fervent following of Argentinian football. The Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Kochi was initially proposed as a potential venue.

However, the AFA’s official itinerary makes no mention of a visit to Kerala, leaving fans heartbroken and questioning the initial announcement. Minister Abdurahiman stated he hasn’t received any official communication from the AFA and that the arrangement was managed by the Kochi-based Reporter Broadcasting Company. The company has yet to comment on the situation.

Ahammed Salih, a representative of the Malappuram Argentina WhatsApp Koottayma, expressed the widespread disappointment: “We strongly condemn the cancellation of the plan and will launch a social media protest against the Minister. We were planning to travel anywhere in Kerala where Messi and his team was to play.”

The proposed visit was estimated to cost ₹100 crore, with expenses to be covered by sponsorships. The cancellation has ignited anger among Argentinian football fans in Kerala, who feel misled and are demanding answers.

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