Vantara founder Anant Ambani hosted global football icon Lionel Messi at the wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and conservation centre, where the football legend’s time was marked by guided tours, traditional rituals and close interactions with wildlife.
Global football icon Lionel Messi paid a special visit to Vantara, the wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and conservation centre founded by Anant Ambani, where age-old Indian traditions blended seamlessly with a modern, science-driven approach to animal welfare.
At Vantara, initiatives traditionally begin with seeking blessings in accordance with Sanatana Dharma, which emphasises reverence for nature and respect for all living beings. Messi’s visit reflected this ethos as he participated in traditional Hindu rituals, observed wildlife up close and interacted with caregivers and conservation teams, embodying the humility and humanitarian values for which he is widely admired.
Accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, Messi was welcomed in grand traditional style with vibrant folk music, a shower of flowers symbolising blessings and purity of intent, and a ceremonial aarti. The Argentine great also took part in a Maha Aarti at the temple, including Ambe Mata Puja, Ganesh Puja, Hanuman Puja and Shiv Abhishek, offering prayers for world peace and unity in keeping with India’s timeless philosophy of harmony with nature.
Messi then embarked on a guided tour of Vantara’s vast conservation ecosystem, home to rescued big cats, elephants, herbivores, reptiles and fostered young animals from across the world. He also visited the green energy complex and the world’s largest refinery complex, expressing admiration for the scale, vision and sustainability underpinning the operations.
At the Big Cat Care Centre, Messi interacted with lions, leopards and tigers thriving in enriched, naturalistic environments, many of whom approached him with curiosity. His tour continued at the Herbivore Care Centre and the Reptile Care Centre, where he observed animals flourishing under specialised veterinary care, customised nutrition and advanced husbandry protocols that have positioned Vantara as a global leader in wildlife welfare. He later visited the multi-speciality wildlife hospital, witnessing real-time clinical and surgical procedures, before feeding okapis, rhinos, giraffes and elephants. From a global perspective, Messi also praised the commitment of India’s prime minister to advancing wildlife care and conservation across the country.
At the Foster Care Centre, dedicated to orphaned and vulnerable young animals, Messi learned about stories of resilience and recovery. In a touching moment, Anant Ambani and Radhika Ambani together named a lion cub “Lionel,” a gesture symbolising hope and continuity in honour of the football legend.
The highlight of the visit came at the Elephant Care Centre, where Messi met Maniklal, a rescued elephant calf saved along with his ailing mother, Prathima, from harsh labour in the logging industry two years ago. In a heartwarming scene, Messi joined Maniklal in an impromptu football enrichment activity, demonstrating the universal language of play. The calf responded enthusiastically, delighting onlookers and creating one of the most memorable moments of Messi’s India visit.
Responding in Spanish after Anant Ambani thanked him for visiting Vantara and inspiring compassion towards animals and humanity, Messi said, “What Vantara does is truly beautiful—the work for animals, the care they receive, the way they are rescued and looked after. It is genuinely impressive. We had a wonderful time, felt completely at ease throughout, and it is an experience that stays with you. We will surely visit again to continue inspiring and supporting this meaningful work.”
