Football
Messiah or Misstep: Does Kerala need to host Argentina?
The state must decide whether it wants a fleeting moment of Messi-magic or a lasting foundation for future champions.

Kerala is eager to host Messi's Argentina (Photo credit: Reuters)
The news of the Kerala government planning to host the Argentina National Football Team for a friendly match has sparked a mix of excitement and controversy.
While Lionel Messi’s arrival is undeniably a dream come true for fans, the decision has raised significant concerns about priorities, infrastructure, and long-term benefits for the state’s sports ecosystem.
Here, we examine both sides of the argument, weighing the potential gains against the glaring shortcomings.
The promise of hosting Argentina
The primary argument supporting the move is the global attention it will bring to Kerala.
Hosting a team of Argentina’s stature, especially with icons like Lionel Messi, would elevate the state’s visibility on the international football map.
This exposure could be a catalyst for sports tourism, attracting fans and tourists eager to experience the game and explore Kerala’s famed culture and natural beauty.
Furthermore, hosting an event of this magnitude would necessitate upgrades to infrastructure, particularly if the match is held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi.
The stadium, which has seen better days, might undergo long-overdue renovations, including better seating, modern facilities, and improved pitch quality.
High-security training facilities for Argentina could also be developed, which might later benefit local athletes and clubs.
Additionally, city-wide improvements such as better roads and transportation facilities might accompany the preparations, as Kerala would need to put its best foot forward to accommodate the international stars.
From a financial perspective, the match could generate significant revenue through sponsorships, ticket sales, and global broadcasting rights.
Local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and tourism operators, could benefit from the influx of fans and media professionals.
In theory, this event could create a ripple effect, boosting the economy, fostering a greater interest in football among Kerala’s youth and inspiring a new generation of players.
The reality of misplaced priorities
Despite the potential benefits, critics argue that the decision to bring Argentina to Kerala reflects misplaced priorities.
First, Argentina might not even play against the Indian football team or a local side.
Reports suggest they could face another foreign team, reducing any potential development or exposure associated benefits for Indian football.
Without a local connection to the match, the event risks being little more than an expensive public relations exercise.
Then there is the question of Kerala’s sports infrastructure—or the lack of it.
While millions may be spent on hosting Argentina, local athletes are forced to train with rusty equipment in poorly maintained facilities.
Kerala-born footballers like Ashique Kuruniyan and Leon Agustine have openly criticized the move, pointing out that Kerala’s sports infrastructure is woefully inadequate.
Local athletes continue to struggle with substandard facilities, lack of proper nutrition, and unfulfilled promises.
Take the Kerala Sports Hostel for instance.
Sports hostels, meant to nurture future champions, are notorious for providing substandard food and inadequate resources.
Athletes that training here and go on to represent the state at national and even international levels, are reportedly served upma, while their peers elsewhere receive balanced and nutrition-rich diets.
This disparity hampers performance and morale, raising the question: should the state focus on a one-time spectacle or invest in sustainable development for its athletes?
Moreover, Kerala’s track record in supporting its sporting icons has been far from ideal.
P.R. Sreejesh, the celebrated former Indian hockey goalkeeper and an Olympian, once publicly lamented that not even a local leader acknowledged his achievements after the Asian Games.
Similarly, badminton star H.S. Prannoy stopped representing Kerala due to a lack of recognition and support.
These instances paint a grim picture of the state’s commitment to nurturing talent.
Adding to this is the issue of declining performance at the national level.
Once a powerhouse in athletics and football, Kerala’s dominance has waned, partly due to poor investment in grassroots programs and facilities.
Hosting Argentina might elicit a fleeting moment of pride but it does little to address these systemic issues.
A financial and logistical quagmire
The financial implications of hosting Argentina are another contentious point.
Reports suggest that the event could cost anywhere between ₹40–50 crore, even if partially funded by sponsors.
Critics argue that this money could be better spent upgrading training facilities, providing scholarships to athletes, or fulfilling long-pending commitments to medalists and achievers.
Logistically, Kerala is ill-prepared to host an event of this scale.
Just yesterday, the Kerala High Court highlighted the poor condition of Kochi’s roads, pointing out that pedestrians face daily risks due to potholes and lack of footpaths.
A high-profile incident where a foreigner fell into an open drainage only underscores these challenges.
How can the state justify bringing global stars when its basic infrastructure is in shambles?
A question of balance
While the arrival of Lionel Messi and the Argentina team could be a moment of glory for Kerala, it must not come at the cost of neglecting local athletes and long-term development.
The government must ensure that any investment in hosting the event also benefits the broader sports community.
For instance, if new training facilities are built, they should be accessible to local clubs and academies after the event.
Revenue from the match should be reinvested into grassroots programs, scholarships, and infrastructure upgrades across the state.
At the same time, there must be greater accountability in addressing the grievances of Kerala’s athletes.
Ensuring timely delivery of promised rewards, improving hostel facilities, and providing adequate nutrition are basic steps that can rebuild trust and morale.
Otherwise, it risks being remembered as a fleeting spectacle that highlights Kerala’s inadequacies rather than its potential.
The onus is, therefore, on the government to strike a balance between celebrating the present and investing in the future.