An exhibition match between Lionel Messi and the Argentina national football team brings them back to India following a 14-year absence as they plan to play in Kochi this October. The captain who won the FIFA World Cup 2022 will guide his team in a friendly match because HSBC India and the Argentine Football Association (AFA) joined forces to boost football interest in India. People who follow Indian football will have the opportunity to view the world champions perform in Indian territory for the first time in over 10 years.

HSBC India Announces Historic Partnership With AFA For Argentina’s India Tour

HSBC India made a historical announcement about its partnership with the Argentine Football Association which will bring both Lionel Messi and the Argentina national football team for an international exhibition match in October 2025. According to HSBC India the Argentina national football team with their star player Lionel Messi will conduct a visit to India for a special match scheduled for October 2025. The AFA president Claudio Fabian Tapia described this connexion as a “new milestone” which would help Argentina advance internationally during the 2025-26 season and World Cup qualifier period.

Messi’s Return To India After 14 Years: A Historic Football Moment

After this long interval Messi finally comes back to India to relive the memories of his previous September 2011 visit. On their visit Argentina battled Venezuela in a friendly match at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata while earning a tight 1-0 win before a large crowd filled the stadium. Indian football fans have secured an exceptional opportunity to watch World Cup champions play at Kochi. The agreement includes Singapore as a territory where Argentina expands its football business and deepens their partnership with global international football markets.