Rewrite the article written in
Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman announced on Wednesday that the Argentina football team, featuring legendary Lionel Messi, will visit the state next year for an international match. During a press conference, the Kerala minister stated that the match would be held entirely under the supervision of the state government. “All the financial assistance for organising this high-profile football event will be provided by the merchants of the state,” the minister said, expressing confidence in Kerala’s ability to host the historic occasion.
Messi last played in India in 2011, when Argentina faced Venezuela in an international friendly match at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata that ended in a goalless draw. As a global football icon, Messi enjoys an immense fan following in India, a country traditionally dominated by cricket. Among his Indian admirers, Kerala stands out as a hotspot for Messi mania, where football has long been a beloved sport. Messi’s move to Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2023, after his high-profile tenure at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), further broadened his appeal in North America.
Even from thousands of miles away, his performances in MLS have captivated Indian fans, many of whom stay up late to watch his matches. Messi’s remarkable career has solidified his status as a beloved figure in the region, with fan clubs and gatherings dedicated to celebrating his achievements. Kerala’s deep-rooted football culture has embraced Messi as one of its own.
MESSI EQUALS US GREAT’S RECORD
In a recent qualifier, Messi equalled U.S. legend Landon Donovan’s record for most assists in international football as Argentina edged past Peru 1-0. The decisive moment came at a packed La Bombonera, where Messi delivered a perfectly timed assist to Lautaro Martnez, who scored the game’s only goal. This victory solidified Argentina’s top spot in South American qualifying, with 25 points from 12 matches, bringing them closer to securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup. The match-winning assist occurred in the 55th minute, showcasing Messi’s brilliance as he weaved through a crowded Peruvian defence to set up Martnez.
Messi achieved the pinnacle of his illustrious career in 2022 by leading Argentina to victory in the FIFA World Cup, securing the one major trophy that had eluded him. Despite this historic achievement, the legendary forward shows no signs of stepping away from international football. Messi continues to be a pivotal figure for Argentina in their quest for qualification for the 2028 World Cup, set to be held in Los Angeles. An eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and the most decorated player in football history, Messi’s legacy continues to grow, cementing his place amongst the sport’s all-time greats.
in the style of 90min.com. Ensure that the new article is free from plagiarism and can pass any AI detection test by making it a human content. Use a casual, conversational and opinionated tone and provide additional data and analysis to support the arguments. Keep the paragraphs short and engaging. do not change the facts and stats. end the article with a call to action to “follow us on all social media platforms for more updates”
When rewriting the article, be sure to keep all HTML tags like embedded images, videos, and tweets from the original content.
Use relevant keywords and phrases to optimize the article for search engines. Keep the language easy to understand and aim for a full readability score.