Kerala govt spent INR 13 lakh to ask Lionel Messi, Sports Minister travelled to Spain utilizing public cash: Report

Updated on: Aug 07, 2025 06:36 pm IST

The Kerala authorities reportedly spent ₹13 lakh to ask Lionel Messi, which additionally noticed the Sports Minister journey to Spain.

Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman had earlier introduced that the Argentine soccer group and Lionel Messi would probably go to Kerala in October or November this yr. But then, not too long ago, the minister confirmed that the 2022 World Cup winners wouldn’t be visiting Kerala, as a result of journey difficulties. According to a TOI report, the Kerala authorities spent ₹13 lakh on Abdurahiman’s journey to Spain in September 2024 to ask Messi, which refutes the sooner declare that no public cash was used. The minister didn’t journey alone, he was accompanied by the Sports Department Secretary and Director of Sports and Youth Affairs.

Lionel Messi in motion for Argentina.(AFP)

The minister had earlier acknowledged that it might not price a single rupee to ask Messi. According to the TOI report, the minister made such claims as a result of political motivations, and Kerala additionally has an enormous fanbase for the Argentina nationwide group and Messi. Local physique elections are scheduled for December this yr, and meeting elections for 140 members of the Kerala Legislative Assembly in April-May subsequent yr.

Also Read: Lionel Messi’s go to to Eden Gardens uncertain as CAB caught off guard about ‘Kolkata journey’ rumours

Messi is ready to go to India in December 2025, however by completely different organisers. He shall be travelling to Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi. But a current Telegraph report revealed that the Cricket Association of Bengal hasn’t acquired any official message concerning Messi’s go to to the Eden Gardens.

According to a Telegraph report, CAB president Snehasish Ganguly stated, “It’s a shock to me that Messi shall be coming to the Eden when we’ve got acquired no official communication but on the matter. I’m actually stunned as to how this information (Messi on the Eden) goes round.”

Meanwhile, one other CAB official stated, “We first have to take permission from the Army after which focus on it with our apex physique. But as of now, we haven’t acquired any official communication.”

On his India go to, the Inter Miami star can also be anticipated to play a cricket match in opposition to the likes of Rohit Sharma and Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.

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