Will surely visit again: Watch Lionel Messi's day at Anant Ambani's Vantara

Lionel Messi’s India visit took a quieter, more meaningful turn when the football icon stopped by the Vantara Wildlife Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, during his GOAT India Tour 2025. Away from roaring stadiums and fan frenzy, Messi experienced an India shaped by tradition, compassion and conservation, guided closely by Anant Ambani, the founder of the ambitious wildlife project.

Messi was welcomed with vibrant cultural rituals that reflected India’s deep-rooted respect for nature. He took part in traditional ceremonies with ease, showing curiosity and warmth as Anant Ambani explained how Indian customs and modern conservation principles coexist at Vantara.

The Inter Miami star toured the expansive facility, which focuses on the rescue, treatment and long-term care of animals. He observed cutting-edge veterinary practices and spent time around big cats, elephants, reptiles and herbivores housed in carefully designed enclosures. One of the lighter moments of the visit came when Messi interacted with a young elephant calf, a moment that quickly caught attention. In a symbolic tribute, a lion cub at the centre was named “Lionel” in his honour.

Impressed by the scale and intent of the initiative, Messi praised the work being done at Vantara, acknowledging the vision behind it.