Lionel Messi Concludes GOAT Tour 2025 with Heartwarming Visit to Vantara Wildlife Centre in Gujarat

Jamnagar, Dec 2025 : Global football icon Lionel Messi concluded his GOAT Tour 2025 with a special visit to Vantara, a wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation centre founded by Anant Ambani near Jamnagar, Gujarat. The visit combined cultural immersion, wildlife conservation awareness, and a showcase of Vantara’s extensive animal care initiatives.

Messi’s visit reflected his humility and humanitarian values and highlighted his close bond with Anant Ambani, rooted in a shared commitment to wildlife protection. Accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, Messi was welcomed in a traditional Indian ceremony with vibrant folk music, flower showers symbolising blessings, and a ceremonial aarti.

The GOAT Tour began in Kolkata amid chaotic crowds, followed by memorable stops in Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi, culminating with this immersive visit to Vantara. During the trip, Messi also participated in a Maha Aarti at the temple on-site, including Ambe Mata Puja, Ganesh Puja, Hanuman Puja, and Shiv Abhishek, offering prayers for world peace and unity while embracing India’s ethos of respect for all living beings.

Following the ceremonial welcome, Messi toured Vantara’s expansive conservation ecosystem, home to rescued big cats, elephants, herbivores, reptiles, and orphaned animals from around the world. He also visited the green energy complex and the world’s largest refinery complex, expressing admiration for the scale and vision of these operations.

At the Care Centre for lions, leopards, tigers, and other endangered species, Messi interacted with animals thriving in enriched, naturalistic habitats. He also visited the Herbivore Care Centre and the Reptile Care Centre, observing the animals receiving specialised veterinary care, customised nutrition, and behavioural training—all reflecting Vantara’s global leadership in animal welfare.

Messi toured the multi-speciality wildlife hospital, witnessing live clinical and surgical procedures, and later took part in feeding sessions with okapis, rhinos, giraffes, and elephants. He praised India’s commitment to wildlife conservation and applauded the Prime Minister’s efforts to advance animal care nationwide.

At the Foster Care Centre for orphaned and vulnerable young animals, Messi learned about their journeys of resilience. In a touching moment, Anant Ambani and Radhika Ambani named a lion cub “Lionel”, symbolising hope, continuity, and honouring the football legend.

The highlight of Messi’s visit was at the Elephant Care Centre, where he met Maniklal, a rescued elephant calf saved alongside his ailing mother, Prathima, from harsh logging labour. Messi engaged in a playful football enrichment activity with Maniklal, a moment that captured hearts as the calf showcased his playful skills, marking one of the most memorable moments of the visit.

Speaking in Spanish to Anant Ambani, Messi expressed his admiration for the centre:
“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.”

As the visit concluded, Messi participated in Nariyal Utsarg and Matka Phod, traditional rituals symbolising goodwill and auspicious beginnings. The ceremonies ended with prayers and chants for peace and well-being, reinforcing the shared values that align Vantara’s mission with Messi’s global humanitarian legacy.

Messi, who heads the Leo Messi Foundation focused on social causes, education, healthcare, and children’s welfare worldwide, expressed deep alignment with Vantara’s vision. He appreciated the centre’s compassionate, science-driven approach to wildlife care, describing it as a remarkable model for conservation and animal welfare.

Messi’s visit not only showcased his commitment to humanitarian and environmental causes but also brought global attention to Vantara’s work in rescuing and rehabilitating endangered species. The tour highlighted how sports icons can influence conservation awareness and foster cultural exchange, bridging international fame with local initiatives.

By engaging with animals, caregivers, and conservation experts, Messi’s GOAT Tour concluded on a note of compassion, cultural celebration, and wildlife advocacy, leaving an enduring impact on both the centre and its residents—human and animal alike.