Global football legend Lionel Messi spent a day at Anant Ambani’s Vantara Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation and Conservation Centre, experiencing a unique blend of Indian culture, spirituality, and modern science-driven animal care.

Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, was greeted with a vibrant ceremony featuring traditional folk music, flower showers, and an aarti at the temple complex. The celebrations culminated in a Maha Aarti, which included Ambe Mata Puja, Ganesh Puja, Hanuman Puja, and Shiv Abhishek—rituals offered for peace and unity.

At Vantara, Messi observed how **Sanatana Dharma’s guiding belief—that every living being holds value—**is woven into advanced veterinary science, nutrition, and enrichment programmes designed to support long-term animal welfare.

His tour included encounters with rescued big cats, elephants, reptiles, herbivores, and young animals from across regions. He also explored facilities beyond animal enclosures, such as a green energy complex and the world’s largest refinery complex, where sustainability initiatives run alongside large-scale infrastructure.

Symbolic Visit

Messi’s presence at Vantara highlighted the centre’s mission of combining spiritual reverence for nature with cutting-edge conservation practices, showcasing India’s evolving role in global wildlife protection.