Lionel Messi Participates in Hindu Rituals and Wildlife Conservation Activities During Vantara Visit in India

Lionel Messi was seen performing traditional puja ceremonies during his visit to Vantara.

Football superstar Lionel Messi made a significant stop at Vantara, a wildlife conservation center established by Anant Ambani in Gujarat's Jamnagar, as part of his GOAT Tour 2025 on Tuesday. During his visit, the Argentine legend participated in several Hindu religious rituals and spent time with the rescued animals at the facility. Reliance has released photographs showing Messi taking part in Ganesh Puja, Hanuman Puja, and Shiv Abhishek ceremonies at the temple. He was joined by his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul for this final segment of his India tour.

In a special gesture, a lion cub at Vantara's foster care center was named "Lionel" in honor of the football maestro.

Messi also delighted onlookers by engaging in an impromptu football session with a rescued elephant calf named Maniklal.

The photographs of Messi's visit to Vantara quickly spread across social media platforms, generating numerous reactions from online users.

One social media user humorously commented on his aarti photo, saying, "From today, your name is Leeladhar Messi." Another user observed, "When global icons engage with local traditions, the message becomes universal. Humility, gratitude, and harmony stand out beyond words. These moments remind us of shared human values."

A third commenter appreciated the multifaceted nature of the visit: "Love how this visit blended football, faith and conservation in such a natural way. Seeing Messi join traditional rituals and support Vantara's work really shows respect for India's culture and care for all living beings."

Messi's GOAT Tour began with a challenging visit to Kolkata, followed by successful events in Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. The World Cup winner, who led Argentina to victory in Qatar 2022, experienced India's passionate reception throughout his journey.

Before departing India, Messi expressed his gratitude on Instagram: "Namaste India! What incredible visits to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Thanks for the warm welcome, great hospitality and all the expressions of love throughout my tour. I hope football has a bright future in India!"