According to the minister, the state has received a new email from the Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirming that the G.O.A.T player Messi and his team will visit India in March.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cTwo days ago, we received an email from the AFA team confirming their visit to Kerala in March,\u201d Abdurahiman said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He added that the match was initially planned for November but had to be deferred due to infrastructural issues at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, this fresh claim has drawn widespread skepticism, with critics recalling the earlier unfulfilled promise of Messi\u2019s visit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The absence of any official agreement or confirmation from the AFA has led to questions about the government\u2019s credibility and the procedures followed in organising what is billed as a major international sporting event.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Opposition and sports enthusiasts have also raised concerns over why the Kochi stadium was partially dismantled for \u201crenovation\u201d despite the lack of a signed deal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With no documented terms, the government is now under pressure to clarify who the sponsors are, what the contractual commitments were, and whether due diligence was observed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Adding to the controversy, it has emerged that the sponsors involved in the initiative have alleged links to the notorious Muttil tree felling case despite the government\u2019s previous assurances that it would not engage with tainted entities.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
As anticipation mixes with disbelief, many are demanding transparency and official documentation to substantiate the minister\u2019s claim.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Adding to the controversy, it has emerged that the sponsors involved in the initiative have alleged links to the notorious Muttil tree felling case despite the government\u2019s previous assurances that it would not engage with tainted entities.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
If the world cup winning team led by Messi lands on Kerala's soil, the timing of the visit will add a feather to the cap of the now beleaguered Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is caught in a few scams which the Congress-led UDF is playing up. More importantly by then Kerala will be at the peak of election campaigning fever for the Assembly polls.<\/p>\r\n\r\n