Did Rowan Arumughan know Lionel Messi before the 2011 Kolkata match?

No, Rowan Arumughan officiated his first match involving Lionel Messi in Kolkata in 2011.

How did Rowan Arumughan prepare for the Argentina vs. Venezuela match?

He gathered information from friends who had officiated in major tournaments due to limited footage of Venezuela.

What was Rowan Arumughan's experience refereeing Lionel Messi in Kolkata?

He viewed it as a professional duty, focusing on officiating without major errors, despite the high-profile nature of the game.

Home / Sports / Kolkata Referee Recalls Messi Stardom

Kolkata Referee Recalls Messi Stardom

12 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Rowan Arumughan officiated Lionel Messi's 2011 Argentina match.
He prepared rigorously, despite limited opponent footage.
He managed nerves, focusing on professional duty during the game.

Rowan Arumughan, a former FIFA referee from Palakkad, reminisces about officiating a 2011 friendly match in Kolkata featuring Lionel Messi.

Arumughan's initial plan to attend the match as a spectator changed when he was selected as a referee. He recalls the disbelief and excitement, but emphasized his commitment to professionalism during the game, putting aside the star status of players like Messi.

Preparing for the match presented challenges due to a lack of video footage for Venezuela, Argentina's opponent. Arumughan meticulously gathered information from fellow referees. Despite pre-game nerves, he maintained composure once the match began, prioritizing error-free officiating and ensuring no major decisions impacted the game's outcome.

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