Due to the exorbitant expenses involved in hosting Lionel Messi’s national team, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) had to regretfully decline the chance to host the FIFA Champions Argentina in India. The head of international relations of the Argentina Football Association (AFA), Pablo Joaquin Diaz was in discussions with the AIFF to explore the possibility of hosting the South American giants. Since their triumph as world champions last year, Argentina has become the most in-demand international team to play against.
India vs Argentina Cancelled: So Close, Yet So Far
The AFA originally intended to engage in friendly matches against South Asian teams, specifically India and Bangladesh, on June 12 and June 20, respectively. They requested a substantial fee of approximately $4-5 million (Rs. 32-40 crores) for each match. Regrettably, both India and Bangladesh faced difficulties in acquiring the required funds on such short notice. As a result, Argentina had to seek alternative opponents. They played against Australia in Beijing on June 15 and subsequently faced Indonesia in Jakarta on June 19. Surprisingly, Lionel Messi did not even make an appearance in the latter game.
Although an agreement could not be reached at this time, Pablo Joaquin is said to be persistently engaging in discussions with the Secretary General of the AIFF, Shaji Prabhakaran, in the hopes of finding a solution in the near future. Despite the evident gap in class and quality between the two international teams, both nations express a keen interest in establishing a potential long-term partnership. This indicates a mutual recognition of the benefits that can arise from such a collaboration, such as the promotion of club football. While the current circumstances may have prevented immediate cooperation, the ongoing talks signify the willingness of both parties to explore future possibilities and foster a positive relationship in the realm of football.
Back in 2011, India proudly played host to Argentina at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, a match that witnessed Messi’s team claim victory over Venezuela. The Indian football fans came in numbers that time to show their support for one of the greatest footballers of all time and watch his team play.
Over a decade later, India found itself on the verge of hosting the current world champions once again, yet this time, they were unable to secure the necessary funds, resulting in a missed opportunity. It was a disappointment for Indian football enthusiasts who had eagerly anticipated the chance to witness the esteemed Argentine side grace their nation’s grounds as the absence of sufficient financial resources proved to be the stumbling block.