Prayers And Bonding With Animals: Videos From Lionel Messi's Vantara Visit

Global football icon Lionel Messi visited Vantara wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre in Gujarat’s Jamnagar, where he met Anant Ambani and toured the facility housing rescued and rehabilitated animals. Messi, who was accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, spent several hours at the centre interacting with caregivers and observing animal care and conservation efforts underway at the facility.

During the visit, Messi was taken through multiple sections of the centre, including enclosures for big cats, herbivores and reptiles. Officials at the facility said he was briefed on rescue operations, veterinary care protocols and long-term rehabilitation processes for animals brought in from difficult or abusive conditions.

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Messi also visited the wildlife hospital, where veterinary teams demonstrated medical and surgical procedures carried out on injured and rescued animals. At the Elephant Care Centre, Messi met Maniklal, a young elephant rescued along with his mother from the logging industry.

Messi met Anant Ambani and Radhika Ambani during the visit. The hosts briefed him on the vision behind Vantara and its focus on animal welfare, rescue and rehabilitation. A lion cub at the facility was named “Lionel” during the visit, a gesture made in recognition of Messi’s presence.

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Located in Jamnagar district, Vantara operates as a wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and conservation centre. The facility houses animals rescued from illegal captivity, abuse or unsafe conditions and provides medical treatment, long-term care and rehabilitation services.