Messi visits Anant Ambani's Vantara in Jamnagar to conclude India trip

After completing engagements in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi, Lionel Messi arrived in Jamnagar on Wednesday evening for the final leg of his India tour. The Argentine captain, accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, visited Vantara, the 3,500-acre animal rescue and rehabilitation centre established by Anant Ambani.

Unlike the public events and stadium appearances in the metro cities, Messi’s visit to Anant Ambani’s Vantara in Gujarat marked the conclusion of his multi-city itinerary ahead of his scheduled departure from the country.

Traditional welcomeThe players received a grand ceremonial welcome upon arrival at Vantara. As Messi, Suarez, and De Paul walked towards the entrance, accompanied by Anant Ambani, they were showered with rose petals.

Visuals from the evening show the football legend smiling broadly as pink petals rained down on the group, creating a festive atmosphere.

Radhika Ambani was also present to receive the guests. During the traditional welcome, Messi was presented with a beaded necklace and Anant Ambani draped a Kashmiri shawl around him. The group then posed for photographs in front of the Vantara inauguration plaque, with Messi sporting a red tilak on his forehead, marking his immersion into the local customs.

Temple visit and ritualsFollowing the reception, the visitors proceeded to the temple complex situated within the centre. The footballers were seen standing inside the temple hall beneath a large bell. Dressed in formal attire, Messi stood alongside the Ambanis and his teammates, participating in the evening Aarti.

The group was seen clapping during the bhajans and paying respects at the Ganesh idol. The visuals of the World Cup winner participating in these rituals with genuine interest have drawn significant attention on social media.

Safari and conservation tourThe group later undertook a night safari to view the rehabilitation efforts at the centre. They travelled in an open-sided vehicle, with Anant Ambani seated acting as the primary guide. Radhika Ambani also accompanied the guests on the tour, where the hosts briefed the footballers on Vantara's operations and highlighted the various rescued species.

The tour included close interactions with several animals.

Messi and his teammates observed big cats from a viewing gallery featuring reinforced glass partitions. Images from the visit show the World Cup winner seated next to an enclosure housing white tigers, where he was photographed smiling as a tiger stood on its hind legs against the glass.

Beyond the enclosures, the group engaged directly with herbivores in the open zones. During the safari drive, the vehicle stopped to allow the guests to interact with a giraffe.

Messi was seen petting the animal as it lowered its neck into the cart. Additionally, the footballers participated in feeding sessions, with Messi photographed feeding grass to a rescued rhinoceros.

The Jamnagar visit wraps up Messi's 2025 India tour. The trip, which began last week, saw the World Cup winner fulfill commercial and sporting commitments across four major cities before concluding with this unique cultural and wildlife experience.