Lionel Messi’s visit to India has taken a quieter and more meaningful turn when the football icon stopped by the Vantara Wildlife Center in JamnagarGujarat, during his GOAT India Tour 2025. Away from roaring stadiums and fan frenzy, Messi experienced an India shaped by tradition, compassion and conservation led by Anant Ambani, the founder of an ambitious wildlife project.
Messi was greeted with vibrant cultural rituals that reflected India’s deep-rooted respect for nature. Participating in traditional ceremonies with ease, he showed curiosity and warmth as Anant Ambani explained how Indian customs and modern conservation principles coexist in Vantara.
The Inter Miami star toured the extensive facility, which focuses on the rescue, treatment and long-term care of animals. He observed state-of-the-art 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 baby elephant, a moment that quickly caught the eye. As a symbolic tribute, the lion in the middle was named “Lionel” in his honor.
Impressed by the scale and intent of the initiative, Messi praised the work that has been done at Vantara and acknowledged the vision behind it.
