JAMNAGAR, December 16, 2025 — Global football icon Lionel Messi arrived in Jamnagar, Gujarat, on Monday evening, marking the final and most personal stop of his historic "G.O.A.T. India Tour 2025." The Argentine superstar, accompanied by teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, touched down in the city to visit ‘Vantara,’ the extensive wildlife rescue and conservation center spearheaded by Anant Ambani.
The visit comes immediately after the conclusion of Messi's whirlwind four-city tour, which saw him greet thousands of fans in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. While the previous legs of the journey were defined by packed stadiums and public adulation, the Jamnagar visit was a private engagement hosted by Anant Ambani, Director of Reliance Industries Limited.
A Traditional Welcome and Cultural Immersion
Upon arrival, Messi and his entourage were welcomed with traditional Gujarati hospitality, including vibrant folk music and a floral shower. Reports indicate that the football legend immersed himself in the local culture, participating in a ‘Maha Aarti’ at the temple complex, offering prayers for world peace and unity.
Football Meets Conservation: The Vantara Tour
The highlight of the trip was a guided tour of the Vantara ecosystem, a 3,000-acre initiative within the Reliance Jamnagar Refinery Complex dedicated to animal welfare. Messi, known for his humility, was seen interacting with the conservation teams and observing the facility’s rescued elephants, big cats, and reptiles.
In a heartwarming moment that has since captivated social media, Messi was filmed interacting with Maniklal, a rescued elephant calf. The football legend engaged in an impromptu "football" session with the playful calf, kicking a ball back and forth in a scene that perfectly bridged the worlds of sport and nature.
To honor the visit, Anant and Radhika Ambani announced that a lion cub born at the center would be named "Lionel", cementing a permanent bond between the conservation center and the football star.
Visibly moved by the scale of the operations, Messi remarked, "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."
Star-Studded Company
Messi was not alone in this retreat; he was joined by close friend and Inter Miami teammate Luis Suárez, as well as Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul. The trio spent the night at the facility as guests of the Ambani family, enjoying a brief respite from the frenetic energy of the tour before departing from Jamnagar airport on Tuesday morning.
Conclusion of a Historic Tour
The Jamnagar visit served as the quiet epilogue to a chaotic and celebratory week for Indian football. Prior to landing in Gujarat, Messi had just wrapped up a major event at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, where he met with dignitaries including ICC Chairman Jay Shah.
Messi’s departure on Tuesday officially concludes a visit that has left an indelible mark on the country’s sports history, blending the excitement of global football with a spotlight on India's wildlife conservation efforts.