---
title: "Vijayan Accuses UDF of 'Missing Messi' Row Diversion Tactic"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/vijayan-accuses-udf-messi-row-disaster-response-diversion-30e7x
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
section: Politics
published: 2026-08-12T11:00:31.477Z
modified: 2026-08-12T13:00:13.106Z
language: en-IN
---

# Vijayan Accuses UDF of 'Missing Messi' Row Diversion Tactic

Kerala's Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan claims the UDF government is using the 'Missing Messi' controversy to distract from its handling of disaster response. Vijayan stated the previous LDF government bore no financial responsibility for the exhibition match proposal.

## Key takeaways

- Pinarayi Vijayan claims the UDF government is using the 'Missing Messi' controversy to distract from its disaster response.
- Vijayan stated the LDF government had no financial responsibility for the proposed exhibition match with Lionel Messi.
- The former Chief Minister welcomed an inquiry into the project, asserting the State was not party to sponsor agreements.
- Internal reports flagged potential financial irregularities and losses related to the proposed match.

Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala's Leader of the Opposition, asserted on Wednesday that the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government and affiliated media are employing the 'Missing Messi' controversy as a diversion. He alleges this is intended to shift public focus away from what he described as the administration's inadequate response to a recent disaster.

Vijayan stated that the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government had supported a private sponsor's initiative to bring the 2022 FIFA World Cup-winning Argentina team, including captain Lionel Messi, to Kochi for a friendly match in 2025. He emphasized that the LDF government was not a party to any agreement between the private sponsor and the Argentine Football Association, nor did it invest in the project or assume any financial obligations, including as a guarantor.

The former Chief Minister added that former Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman had clarified that the public treasury incurred no losses. Vijayan welcomed an inquiry into the matter, noting Kerala's significant football following and the popularity of Argentina and Messi. He acknowledged that issues arose in the contract between the sponsor and the Argentine Football Association but reiterated that the State was not involved in that agreement.

Vijayan suggested that the UDF government perceived the Sports department's internal inquiry reports as a propaganda tool against the LDF, particularly in light of criticisms regarding the administration's disaster response. He maintained that the previous LDF administration acted appropriately concerning the Messi exhibition match proposal.

Reports indicated that the government was considering an anti-corruption inquiry into the scheme. An internal Sports department inquiry reportedly found that the project incurred costs to the public exchequer and potentially opened avenues for malpractices. These alleged offenses included money laundering, service tax fraud, self-dealing, and corruption. The report also flagged a loss of ₹13 lakh to the exchequer for underwriting the former Sports Minister's travel to Spain and recommended an inquiry by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB).

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Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/vijayan-accuses-udf-messi-row-disaster-response-diversion-30e7x
Reported from: Multiple Sources