Kerala Sports Minister Makes Massive Claim! Lionel Messi's Argentina 'Cheated Us'

Last Updated:April 02, 2026, 10:48 IST

Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman alleges Argentinas football team took 250 crore rupees but skipped a promised match, calls it cheating and hints at legal action.

Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman on Thursday alleged that the Argentina football team deceived the state by failing to come and play a match despite receiving money for it.

Abdurahiman said he had been very keen for the Argentina football team and Lionel Messi to visit Kerala and play a match in the state.

Did Not Expect Betrayal

“For that, I had held several discussions. It was also not an easy task to find sponsors to arrange the Rs 250 crore to be paid to the international football team.

“But, after receiving the money, the Argentine football team cheated us. We did not expect such a betrayal from them. Not coming after promising to do so," the minister was quoted as saying to a local TV channel.

He said that, upon enquiring, he learned that Argentina had allegedly done the same to five other countries.

“They took money from those countries, but never went there to play. It is a situation where a case will have to be filed against the Argentine football team, and they will have to pay us compensation," Abdurahiman said.

He added that he had been eagerly anticipating their arrival and that their alleged deception was deeply disappointing and made him sad.

“It has disappointed the football lovers in Kerala. I don’t know to whom I will tell my disappointment," he said.

Sports And Politics In Kerala For Elections

The minister had said in November last year that the Argentina football team and Lionel Messi would come to Kerala in March this year.

Regarding his decision to contest from the Tirur assembly constituency instead of Tanur, from where he had won twice, the minister said his move was not motivated by a search for a more winnable seat.

He said he chose Tirur because it is his native place, where there is a lack of development and numerous complaints from the people about it.

At the same time, he asserted that his absence from Tanur would not result in the loss of that seat.

The Assembly elections in Kerala will be held on April 9.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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