Lionel Messi India Tour: Global football icon Lionel Messi concluded his India tour with a visit to Vantara, the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre in Jamnagar, hosted by founder Anant Ambani and his wife Radhika Merchant. Accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, the Argentine legend was welcomed with traditional Gujarati folk music and a floral shower.
He also took part in a Maha Aarti at the temple, performing Ambe Mata Puja, Ganesh Puja, Hanuman Puja, and Shiv Abhishek to offer prayers for world peace and unity
During his tour of the expansive facility, Messi observed the ecosystem housing rescued big cats, elephants, reptiles, and herbivores. He interacted closely with the conservation teams, caregivers, and veterinary professionals to understand the specialized medical care, nutrition planning, and rehabilitation protocols used for animals rescued from difficult conditions.
As a gesture for the Foster Care Centre, which is dedicated to orphaned young animals, Anant and Radhika Ambani named a lion cub 'Lionel' in honor of the World Cup winner. A statement from the centre noted that the name "represents hope and continuity."
Visibly moved by the scale of operations, Messi expressed deep appreciation for the initiative, noting alignment between Vantara’s purpose and the work of his own Leo Messi Foundation. "What Vantara does is truly beautiful, the work for animals, the care they receive, the way they are rescued and looked after. It is genuinely impressive," Messi said in Spanish.
He added, "We had a wonderful time, felt completely at ease throughout, and it is an experience that stays with you. We will surely visit again to continue inspiring and supporting this meaningful work."
The visit to Gujarat marked the final leg of Messi’s 'GOAT India Tour,' which began with a chaotic reception in Kolkata on Saturday before proceeding through Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi. Viral images from Jamnagar showed Messi and Anant Ambani hugging, highlighting a personal bond rooted in shared humanitarian values.
The centre stated that Messi’s engagement with the staff and his participation in the rituals reflected the humility for which he is widely recognized, providing a calm conclusion to his frenetic three-day journey across India.
