Why is Messi Not Coming? Congress Criticizes Kerala Govt Over Failed Invitation
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Synopsis
The Congress party in Kerala has launched a fierce critique of the state government following allegations from the AFA about a breached contract to bring Lionel Messi and his team to the state. This controversy has escalated into a significant political issue, raising questions about accountability and transparency.
Key Takeaways
- Congress party criticizes the Kerala government over Messi invite
- Allegations of contract breach by the AFA
- Minister's trip to Spain cost taxpayers Rs 13 lakh
- Public funds and accountability are major concerns
- Political ramifications for the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 9 (NationPress) The Congress party in Kerala has vehemently criticized the state government following accusations from the Argentine Football Association (AFA) regarding a breach of contract to secure the presence of football legend Lionel Messi and the Argentina national team in the state.
AFA’s Head of Marketing, Leandro Peterson, stated that the agreement fell through due to the Kerala government's failure to fulfill its contractual duties, directly contradicting the claims made by Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman and the event sponsor, who had previously blamed AFA for the cancellation.
“Messi is missing,” joked KPCC president Sunny Joseph, urging the Sports Minister to provide a transparent explanation.
Congress MP Shafi Parambil expressed that the government’s much-publicized social media campaign, ‘Messi is coming to Kerala’, had spectacularly backfired. “If taxpayer money was allocated, the government must clarify its stance or reimburse the treasury,” he stated.
Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil accused the CPI(M) of exploiting Messi’s name for political gain, labeling him as the party’s “star campaigner” and asserting that the invite was never genuine.
“This issue only arises during election time. Congress has its star campaigners, but the CPI(M) is lacking in leadership -- Messi is their star,” he commented.
The controversy intensified with disclosures that the government spent Rs 13 lakh on Minister Abdurahiman’s trip to Spain in September 2024, reportedly to formally invite Messi -- contradicting his previous assurance that the plan would incur no cost to the state.
The Sports Department Secretary and the Director of Sports and Youth Affairs accompanied the Minister on his trip to Spain.
On Saturday, the Minister confirmed that Messi and the Argentine team would not be visiting, citing scheduling conflicts in October-November.
He reiterated that the Kerala government had no involvement in the contract, which he claimed was solely between the sponsor and AFA.
“We did everything possible within our timeframe, but AFA could not make it happen,” he asserted.
As the opposition intensifies its criticism, this debacle has evolved into a political embarrassment for the Pinarayi Vijayan-led state government.
Point of View
It is essential to approach this situation from an unbiased perspective. The allegations against the Kerala government regarding the mishandling of the invitation to Lionel Messi highlight broader issues of transparency and accountability in governance. This incident also reflects the intersection of sports and politics, demonstrating how public figures can be leveraged for political gain.
NationPress
07/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to the Congress party's criticism of the Kerala government?
The Congress party criticized the Kerala government after the Argentine Football Association accused it of breaching a contract related to bringing Lionel Messi and the Argentina national team to the state.
What was the government's response to the accusations?
The Kerala government's Sports Minister denied any breach of contract, stating that the agreement was solely between the sponsor and AFA, and cited scheduling conflicts as the reason for Messi's absence.
How much money was reportedly spent on the Minister's trip to Spain?
Reports indicate that the government spent Rs 13 lakh on Minister Abdurahiman's trip to Spain in September 2024 to invite Messi.
What has been the public reaction to the situation?
Public reaction has been mixed, with many questioning the government's use of taxpayer funds and the sincerity of the invitation to Messi.
What implications does this issue have for the Kerala government?
This controversy has the potential to become a significant political embarrassment for the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government, especially as it unfolds during an election season.
