365telugu.com online news, December 19th,2025: Global football icon Lionel Messi, alongside Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, made a landmark visit to Vantara, the world-class wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center founded by Anant Ambani.
The visit, which blended sacred Indian traditions with cutting-edge wildlife conservation, highlighted the deep personal friendship between Messi and Ambani, rooted in a shared commitment to animal welfare and humanitarian causes.
A Spiritual Welcome in Jamnagar
In keeping with the cultural ethos of Sanatana Dharma, Messi’s visit began with traditional Hindu rituals. The football stars were greeted with folk music, a showering of flower petals, and a ceremonial Aarti.
Demonstrating his trademark humility, Messi participated in a Maha Aarti at the temple, including:
Ambe Mata & Ganesh Puja
Shiv Abhishek
Prayers for world peace and unity
“Lionel” the Lion: A Heartfelt Tribute
During a tour of the Foster Care Centre for orphaned animals, Anant and Radhika Ambani honored the guest by naming a rescued lion cub “Lionel.” The gesture was described as a symbol of hope and continuity, linking the football legend’s global legacy with Vantara’s mission of resilience.
The Highlight: Football with “Maniklal”
In a moment that quickly became the highlight of the tour, Messi engaged in an impromptu football enrichment activity with Maniklal, a rescued elephant calf.
The Backdrop: Maniklal was rescued two years ago from the harsh logging industry alongside his mother.
The Moment: Using the “universal language of play,” the calf responded enthusiastically to Messi’s moves, showcasing the success of Vantara’s behavioral training and enrichment programs.
Global Leadership in Conservation
Messi also toured Vantara’s state-of-the-art infrastructure, including the multi-specialty wildlife hospital and the green energy complex. He praised the scale of the operations and the vision of the Indian Prime Minister in advancing wildlife care.
“What Vantara does is truly beautiful,” Messi said in Spanish. “The way animals are rescued and looked after is genuinely impressive. It is an experience that stays with you, and we will surely visit again to support this meaningful work.”
Closing Rituals and Shared Values
The visit concluded with traditional rituals of Nariyal Utsarg and Matka Phod, symbolizing goodwill and auspicious beginnings. For Messi, who heads the Leo Messi Foundation, the trip underscored a deep alignment between his philanthropic goals in healthcare and education and Vantara’s science-driven, compassionate care for the natural world.