Lionel Messi-Led Argentina Football Team Set For India Visit In October

The national Argentine football team, led by Lionel Messi, will go to India in October 2025 for an international exhibition match, Argentina Football Association (AFA) made this announcement on Wednesday. This visit is part of the world efforts to raise awareness of Argentina before the final matches of the qualification of the 2026 World Cup. The president of the AFA, Claudio Fabian Tapia, praised the initiative as an important step in the international growth of Argentina. “A new step has been taken for the expansion of our team, opening up new opportunities in India and Singapore. We are impatient to consolidate our presence in several regions as we are progressing in 2025 and 2026,” said Tapia.

The association has been working actively to build its presence in India since 2021, recognizing the country’s passion for football. Leandro Petersen, AFA Commercial and Marketing Director, stressed that the initiative aligns their long -term strategy to expand in key regions around the world.

“This is a new step in the global expansion of the AFA. Since 2021, we have identified key opportunities in India and have established a close link with the local football community. Our goal is to continue to strengthen these relationships while bringing the best of Argentinian football to fans,” said Petersen.

Messi had previously visited India in 2011 when Argentina played a qualifying match in the World Cup against Venezuela in Kolkata. Argentina won this 1-0 match at Salt Lake Stadium.

Sandeep Batra, leader of international wealth and leading bank HSBC India, said: “While we join one of the most revered teams in the world of football, we are impatient to create unforgettable experiences for fans and customers, and support the Argentine team in their trip to the 2026 World Cup.”

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