Messi affair: Argentinian team’s Kerala visit that wasn’t comes under scanner

['Shaju Philip', 'Shaju Philip Is A Senior Assistant Editor At The Indian Express', "Where He Leads The Publication'S Coverage Kerala. With Over Years Of Experience In Mainstream Journalism", 'He Is One Of The Most Authoritative Voices On The Socio-Political', 'Religious', 'Developmental Landscape Of South India.', 'Expertise', 'Experience', 'Authority', 'Decades Of Regional Specialization'] The Indian Express 2026-08-12 03:04:45

Argentine football star Lionel Messi along with his Inter Miami teammates Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suarez are welcomed by football fans, as part of Messi's India tour, at Wankhede stadium in Mumbai on 14 December 2025. (Express photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee)The much-hyped but unfulfilled visit of Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi and the national football team to Kerala has turned murkier, with a government inquiry now raising serious questions about the role of the previous LDF government. “After the (Congress-led UDF) government assumed office, the sports department looked into why the visit did not take place. We also received a few complaints seeking a probe into the issue. The department-level inquiry has been conducted, and the report has been handed over to the chief minister for a further detailed probe,” he said.