Football icon Lionel Messi drew widespread attention during his visit to India after taking part in traditional Hindu puja rituals at the Vantara temple in Gujarat’s Jamnagar, describing the experience as “genuinely impressive”.
Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, was welcomed at Vantara by Anant Ambani and Radhika Ambani, son and daughter-in-law of Indian tycoon Mukesh Ambani, in a grand traditional manner, with vibrant folk music, a shower of flowers symbolising blessings and purity, and a ceremonial aarti.
The Argentine superstar actively participated in a Maha Aarti, which included Ambe Mata Puja, Ganesh Puja, Hanuman Puja and Shiv Abhishek.
According to organisers, Messi offered prayers for world peace and unity, reflecting India’s long-standing spiritual ethos of harmony and reverence for all living beings. Images and videos of the global football star standing with folded hands during the rituals quickly went viral, drawing admiration from fans across the world.
Following the religious ceremonies, Messi embarked on a guided tour of Vantara’s vast wildlife rescue and conservation ecosystem, where he interacted with rescued big cats, elephants, herbivores and reptiles. He also visited the multi-speciality wildlife hospital, observing real-time medical and surgical procedures, and later fed animals including giraffes, rhinos and elephants.
Messi was visibly moved by the experience and praised the initiative led by Anant Ambani. “What Vantara does is truly beautiful – the work for animals, the care they receive, and the way they are rescued and looked after. It is genuinely impressive,” he said in Spanish. “We felt completely at ease throughout, and it’s an experience that stays with you.”
In a symbolic gesture, Anant Ambani and Radhika Ambani jointly named a lion cub “Lionel” in Messi’s honour. The football legend also shared a light-hearted moment playing football with Maniklal, a rescued elephant calf saved from harsh labour conditions.
Messi was on a three-day visit to India, which concluded in Delhi before he travelled to Jamnagar and stayed overnight at Vantara. Expressing his desire to return, he said he would “surely visit again” to continue supporting and inspiring conservation efforts.
The sight of one of football’s greatest icons embracing Indian spiritual traditions has added a unique cultural chapter to Messi’s India visit, blending faith, compassion and global stardom in a moment that resonated far beyond the football field.