'Lion'el Messi Visits Vantara: Pays Obeisance To Deities, Observes Wildlife In Jamnagar

Last Updated:December 17, 2025, 09:29 IST

Messi, alongside Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, was welcomed with pomp and show in a fusion of traditional folk music, a flower-shower and a ceremonial aarthi.

Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, Luis Suarez visit Vantara.

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi rounded out his visit to India during the GOAT Tour 2025 with a trip to Anant Ambani’s Vantara, an animal rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation initiative situated within Reliance’s Jamnagar complex.

Vantara has a dedicated focus on saving endangered animals, providing top-class veterinary care, as Messi took part in traditional Hindu rituals, paid obeisance to deities before spending time with wildlife and interacted with the conservation teams.

Messi, alongside his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, was welcomed with pomp and show in a fusion of traditional folk music, a flower-shower and a ceremonial aarti.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner also participated in a Maha Aarti at the temple, including Ambe Mata Pppja, Ganesha Pooja, Hanuman Pooja and Shiva Abhishekam in a nod to the stories Indian culture and tradition.

Messi kicked off his GOAT India Tour as he reached Kolkata on Saturday to unveil a statue of his likeness before visiting Hyderabad. He visited Mumbai on Sunday before concluding the trip to the sub-continent on Monday with his trip to New Delhi and Vantara.

After a chaotic start to the tour on Saturday morning at the Salt Lake Stadium, the Hyderabad leg in the evening helped calm the pandemonium in Kolkata. Messi appeared comfortable on the field, passing the ball around with teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, as Telangana CM Revanth Reddy also joined in.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner thrilled fans with a few touches before sending lucky spectators home with a memento by kicking a ball into the stands, where excited followers scrambled to catch it. Messi was honoured by Reddy and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi following the exhibition game in Uppal.

After the event in Telangana, Messi flew to Mumbai for another exciting day, before concluding the tour with a appearance in New Delhi.

Messi, who arrived in Mumbai on Sunday morning, attended a meet-and-greet with celebrities at the Cricket Club of India before heading to the Wankhede Stadium.

Mumbai transformed into a tribute to the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. Followers of the Argentine World Cup-winner painted the streets red, turning the iconic Marine Drive into a homage to the miracle man from Rosario. Fans adorned the famous Mumbai local trains with banners, scarves, and jerseys, celebrating the Argentine World Cup-winner.

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