What all happened during Messi’s visit to Anant Ambani’s Vantara?

Lionel Messi with Anant Ambani at Vantara (IANS)

Global football icon Lionel Messi wrapped up his GOAT Tour 2025 with a special visit to Vantara, a wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and conservation center established near Jamnagar in Gujarat by Anant Ambani, younger son of Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries Limited. Messi’s visit reflected these cultural values, as he participated in traditional Hindu rituals, observed wildlife and interacted with caretakers and conservation teams at the centre.

What did Lionel Messi do in Vantara?

His discussions during the visit reflected the widely recognized humility and human values ​​and underlined the warm bond and friendship he shares with Anant Ambani, based on a common commitment to wildlife conservation. The Argentinian legend, accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, was welcomed in grand traditional style with live folk music, a shower of flowers symbolizing fertility and purity of intention, and a ceremonial aarti.

Messi kicked off the GOAT Tour with a chaotic visit to Kolkata, followed by memorable highlights in Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi. The football legend, who led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup to be held in Qatar, also attended the Maha Aarti at the temple, where Ambe Mata Puja, Ganesh Puja, Hanuman Puja and Shiv Abhishek were present, and prayed for world peace and unity.

Following the welcome, Messi embarked on a guided tour of Vantara’s vast conservation ecosystem, home to rescued big cats, elephants, herbivores, reptiles and cared for young animals from around the world. He also visited the green energy complex and the world’s largest refinery complex, expressing surprise at the scale and vision of the operations.

At the care center for lions, leopards, tigers and other endangered species, Messi interacted with animals living in enriched, natural environments, and many approached him with curiosity. He then visited the Herbivore Care Center and the Reptile Care Centre; here he observed how animals thrive under expert veterinary care, customized nutrition, behavioral training and husbandry protocols that reflect Vantara’s global leadership in wildlife welfare.

During the visit, he also toured the very special wildlife hospital, witnessed real-time clinical and surgical procedures, and later fed okapis, rhinos, giraffes and elephants. At the Foster Care Center dedicated to orphaned and vulnerable young animals, Messi learned about their journey of resilience. In a heartfelt gesture, Anant Ambani and Radhika Ambani named the lion cub “Lionel” in honor of the football legend, a name that now represents hope and continuity.

The highlight of the tour took place at the Elephant Care Centre, where Messi, along with his sick mother Prathima, met Maniklal, an elephant cub who was rescued from hard labor in the logging industry two years ago.

In a heart-winning moment at the centre, Messi engaged Maniklal in an impromptu football enrichment activity demonstrating the universal language of the game. The calf responded enthusiastically to the event, making playful moves that showed off his developing skills, creating one of the most memorable moments of Messi’s visit to India.

Responding to Anant Ambani in Spanish, Messi thanked him for visiting Vantara and inspiring everyone with selflessness towards animals and humanity, saying, “What Vantara does is truly beautiful, the work done for animals, the care given to them, the way they are rescued and cared for. It is truly impressive. We had a great time, we felt completely comfortable, and it is an experience that stays with you. We will definitely visit again to continue to inspire and support this meaningful work.”

As the visit drew to a close, Messi participated in Nariyal Utsarg and Matka Phod, traditional rituals symbolizing goodwill and auspicious beginnings. The ceremony ended with slogans of peace and prosperity, underlining the shared values ​​that align Vantara’s mission with Messi’s global legacy. Messi, who leads the Leo Messi Foundation, dedicated to social causes, education, healthcare and the well-being of children worldwide, expressed a deep commitment to Vantara’s cause and appreciation for its vision of compassionate, science-driven care for animals.