HSBC Partners with Argentine Football Association, Confirms Argentina National Team's Visit to India

by  EVENTFAQS Bureau Industry Watch | March 27, 2025 | News

HSBC Argentine Football Association Argentina National Team

The Argentina national football team, featuring eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, is set to visit India in October for an international exhibition match. The team will also play another exhibition match in Singapore in early 2026. These matches are part of a newly announced one-year partnership between the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and HSBC, covering the competitive 2025 season leading up to the final qualification matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

While HSBC has not yet disclosed the host venue in India, the announcement aligns with an earlier statement by Kerala’s Sports Minister, V. Abdurahiman. Speaking at an event in Kozhikode in January, he mentioned that Messi would be in Kerala from October 25 to November 2. In addition to playing a friendly match, the football legend is expected to make a public appearance.

Coming back to the announcement made by the Hong Kong headquartered bank, an official release states, "HSBC becomes the first banking institution to partner with the Argentina National Football Team in India and Singapore. Through this agreement, HSBC will hold branding and activation rights across the two countries. HSBC customers and partners will have access to exclusive perks, including tickets to Argentina’s matches, curated fan experiences and meet-and-greet opportunities with the football champions."

Argentina enjoys a massive fan following in India and Singapore, and this collaboration offers football enthusiasts a unique chance to witness their favorite players in action. As part of the partnership, HSBC will launch exclusive consumer experiences and a brand campaign featuring Argentina’s star players as brand ambassadors.

Sandeep Batra, head, International Wealth and Premier Banking, HSBC India, said: “HSBC is proud to announce our groundbreaking partnership with the Argentina Football Association in India and Singapore. This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to opening a world of opportunities and celebrating excellence. As we join forces with one of the most revered teams in the world of football, we look forward to creating unforgettable experiences for fans and customers alike, and supporting the Argentine team in their journey towards the World Cup 2026. Together, we share a vision of passion, performance, and professionalism, and this partnership marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in sports and banking synergy.”

Claudio Fabian Tapia, President, Argentine Football Association said, “We are delighted to have HSBC, the unique banking institution of India, as a new partner for the Argentine Football Association in India. A new milestone has been achieved for the international expansion of AFA, opening new opportunities with HSBC both in India and in Singapore. This agreement looks after our team and we look forward to consolidate our agreement and extend in multiple regions as we progress in the 2025 and 2026. We welcome HSBC as the new partner of the Argentina National Team.”

Leandro Petersen, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer, Argentine Football Association said, “This new partnership with HSBC is a new step into the global expansion of the AFA brand. Since 2021 AFA has opened commercial offices in India identifying key opportunities and generating a close identification to the Indian community. The opening of new markets in India and Americas, is part of the strategic vision of AFA Executives since 2018. Our mission is to keep delivering value to our sponsor and consolidate global key regions for the years to come. We are pleased that HSBC has chosen the Argentina Champions as brand image and ambassadors during this exciting period for 2025. AFA and HSBC will be creating unique marketing campaigns increasing the synergy and power of our brands in the Indian market. With great enthusiasm, we trust the partnership with HSBC will be of a great success.”