Football legend Lionel Messi concluded his multi-city tour of India on a distinctly cultural note, visiting the expansive Vantara animal rescue and rehabilitation centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, on Wednesday evening. The Argentine captain, who had previously fulfilled engagements in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi, was accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul for this final leg of his journey.
A Grand Traditional Welcome
Upon arrival at the 3,500-acre facility founded by Anant Ambani, Messi and his entourage were greeted with a grand ceremonial reception. As they walked towards the entrance with Anant Ambani, rose petals were showered upon them, creating a festive atmosphere. Radhika Ambani was also present to welcome the distinguished guests.
The traditional welcome included Messi being presented with a beaded necklace and a Kashmiri shawl draped around him by Anant Ambani. For a photo session in front of the Vantara inauguration plaque, Messi sported a red tilak on his forehead, fully embracing the local customs. This marked a shift from his public stadium appearances in metro cities to a more private, culturally immersive experience.
Spiritual Immersion and Temple Rituals
Following the initial reception, the group proceeded to the temple complex located within the Vantara centre. Dressed in formal attire, Messi, along with the Ambanis and his teammates, stood inside the temple hall beneath a large bell. They participated actively in the evening Aarti, clapping during the bhajans and paying their respects at the Ganesh idol.
Visuals of the World Cup-winning captain engaging sincerely in these spiritual rituals captured significant attention on social media platforms, highlighting his respectful participation in Indian traditions.
Night Safari and Close Animal Encounters
The visit's highlight was an extensive night safari tour of the rehabilitation centre, with Anant Ambani himself acting as the primary guide. Radhika Ambani also accompanied the guests as they were briefed on the facility's conservation operations and the various rescued species housed there.
The tour offered a range of close interactions with wildlife. The group observed big cats, including white tigers, from a secure viewing gallery with reinforced glass. Messi was photographed smiling broadly as a tiger stood on its hind legs against the glass near him.
The experience extended beyond enclosures into open zones where the footballers interacted directly with herbivores. Their safari vehicle stopped to allow Messi to pet a giraffe that lowered its neck into the cart. In a memorable moment, Messi was also pictured feeding grass to a rescued rhinoceros, showcasing the hands-on conservation efforts at Vantara.
This unique visit to Jamnagar effectively wrapped up Lionel Messi's 2025 India tour. The trip, which began last week, successfully blended commercial and sporting commitments across four major Indian cities with a profound finale focused on cultural immersion and wildlife conservation awareness.
