Star footballer Lionel Messi visited Vantara, the sprawling wildlife conservation and rehabilitation centre founded by Anant Ambani, on Tuesday, December 16. During the visit, Messi had a guided tour of Vantara’s expansive conservation ecosystem. The centre is home to rescued big cats, elephants, herbivores, reptiles, and young fostered animals from around the world. The tour highlighted Vantara’s initiatives, which begin with rituals inspired by Sanatana Dharma, reflecting reverence for nature and respect for all living beings.
The Argentine footballer’s visit reflected this cultural ethos as he took part in traditional Hindu rituals, observed the wildlife and engaged with caregivers and conservation teams. Messi’s interaction during the tour showcased the humility and humanitarian values for which he is globally admired. It also highlighted the warm bond and friendship he shares with Anant Ambani, rooted in a shared commitment to wildlife conservation.
According to an official release, Messi, accompanied by his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, was welcomed in grand traditional style with vibrant folk music, a showering of flowers symbolising blessings and purity of intent, and a ceremonial aarti. Messi also participated in a Maha Aarti at the temple, including Ambe Mata Puja, Ganesh Puja, Hanuman Puja and Shiv Abhishek, offering prayers for world peace and unity in keeping with India’s timeless ethos of reverence for all living beings.
#WATCH | Global football icon Lionel Messi had a guided tour of Vantara’s expansive conservation ecosystem, home to rescued big cats, elephants, herbivores, reptiles and fostered young animals from across the globe. pic.twitter.com/i3Y8j0ZxeX
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After the warm welcome, Messi embarked on a guided tour of Vantara’s expansive conservation ecosystem, home to rescued big cats, elephants, herbivores, reptiles and fostered young animals from across the globe. He also toured the green energy facility and the world’s largest refinery complex, expressing admiration for the scale, innovation, and vision driving their operations. At the care centre for lions, leopards, tigers and other endangered species, the star footballer interacted with animals thriving in enriched, naturalistic environments, many of whom approached him with curiosity.
Messi then visited Herbivore Care Centre and the Reptile Care Centre, where he observed animals flourishing under specialised veterinary care, customised nutrition, behavioural training and husbandry protocols, highlighting Vantara’s global leadership in wildlife welfare. He also toured the multi-speciality wildlife hospital, witnessing real-time clinical and surgical procedures. Later, he fed the okapis, rhinos, giraffes and elephants. From a global perspective, Messi also praised the Indian Prime Minister’s commitment to advancing wildlife care and conservation across the country.
Messi also learned about the journeys of resilience of orphaned and vulnerable young animals at the Foster Care Centre. In a heartfelt gesture, Anant Ambani and Radhika Ambani together named a lion cub “Lionel,” a name that now represents hope and continuity, given in honour of the football legend. The highlight of the tour was the Elephant Care Centre, where Messi met Maniklal, a rescued elephant calf saved along with his ailing mother Prathima from harsh labour in the logging industry two years ago. In a heartwarming moment that resonated across the centre, Messi took part in an impromptu football enrichment activity with Maniklal, beautifully demonstrating the universal language of play.
Interestingly, the calf too responded enthusiastically to the activity, making playful moves that showcased his emerging skills, making it one of the most memorable moments of Messi’s visit to India.
Responding in Spanish to Anant, Messi thanked him for the visit to Vantara, and praised him for the initiative for selflessly inspiring compassion toward animals and humanity. He said, “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. 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.”
Jamnagar marked the final stop of Messi’s GOAT India Tour 2025, during which the Argentine footballer visited four Indian cities: Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi.
