Lionel Messi ended his India tour with a visit to the Vantara center in Jamnagar, alongside Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suárez. They fed animals and took part in traditional rituals. The Argentine captain promised to return to the country.
As part of the GOAT Tour following the MLS Cup 2025 victory, Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, and Luis Suárez visited the Vantara conservation center in Jamnagar, India, on December 16, 2025. Owned by businessman Anant Ambani and his partner Radhika Merchant, the site focuses on wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and care.
During the tour, the Inter Miami players explored conservation areas and fed elephants, rhinoceroses, okapis, and giraffes. A viral image showed Messi posing with a tiger, emphasizing the moment's symbolic power. They also joined the Aarti ritual, a Hindu ceremony with lit candles symbolizing worship of light and deities. Messi bowed before an image of Lord Hanuman, a deity linked to strength and devotion.
The India tour covered Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi, but faced challenges. In Kolkata, incidents at Salt Lake Stadium caused tension: angry fans, upset over Messi's short appearance, threw objects and attempted to invade the pitch. Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly apologized for the poor management.
Messi shared his thanks on social media: “Agradecerles el cariño de estos días en India. La verdad es que fue una gran experiencia, muy linda. Poder recibir todo el cariño, que ya sabía que tenían, de primera mano fue impresionante. Seguramente volveremos para jugar algún partido en otra ocasión. Muchas gracias”.
