Messi's Vantara Visit: Football, Big Cats, Prayers & a Lion Cub Named 'Lionel'

• Lionel Messi visited Vantara, Anant Ambani's wildlife rescue center, with teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul.
• He was seen playing football with elephants, posing with tigers and lions, and participating in traditional prayers and puja.
• Anant Ambani and Radhika Ambani named a lion cub "Lionel" in his honor during the visit.
• Messi praised Vantara's animal welfare work, calling it "truly beautiful" and "impressive," vowing to return.
• The Vantara visit was part of Messi's G.O.A.T. India Tour, which included stops in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi.

Why It Matters: Messi's Vantara visit blended wildlife interaction, spiritual moments, and conservation support.