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Lionel Messi joins Anant Ambani at Vantara for aarti, chants ‘Jai Mata Di’ in viral video: WATCH

The footage captures Messi engaging in several rituals at the centre, including pouring milk over a shivaling, participating in a hawan, and meditating while chanting "Om".

3 min readNew DelhiDec 18, 2025 09:52 AM IST

During the shivaling rituals, Messi can also be heard chanting ‘Har Har Mahadev.’

Global football superstar Lionel Messi participated in traditional Hindu prayers during his visit to Vantara, the wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation centre established by Reliance Foundation in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

The visit was hosted by Anant Ambani and his wife Radhika Merchant, with Messi joined by his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul. A video posted on Vantara’s Instagram page shows Messi offering aarti inside a temple located within the facility. In the clip, Messi is heard saying, “Jai Mata Di,” a chant that is echoed by those around him, including Ambani and Merchant.

Sharing the video, Vantara reflected on the moment with a detailed caption: “Vantara was honoured to welcome Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Rodrigo De Paul. They experienced Indian traditions and rituals rooted in our spiritual culture and spent time with the wild residents of Vantara. Witnessing stories of rescue, healing, and care, they were deeply moved by how compassion for animals is woven into everyday life here. A beautiful moment where seva, spirituality, and conservation came together, one that will stay with us forever.”

The footage captures Messi engaging in several Hindu rituals at the centre, including pouring milk over a shivaling, participating in a hawan, and meditating while chanting Om. During the shivaling rituals, he can also be heard chanting ‘Har Har Mahadev.’

Watch the video:

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A post shared by Vantara (@vantara)

During the visit, Messi explored different parts of Vantara and was introduced to the centre’s efforts in rescuing and rehabilitating animals that have been injured, abandoned, or left orphaned.

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In a touching tribute, Ambani and Merchant named a lion cub ‘Lionel’ in Messi’s honour. News agency ANI quoted Vantara as saying, “At the Foster Care Centre, dedicated to orphaned and vulnerable young animals, Messi learned about their journeys of resilience. In a heartfelt gesture, Anant Ambani and Radhika Ambani together named a lion cub ‘Lionel,’ a name that now represents hope and continuity, given in honour of the football legend.”

Adding to the significance of the visit, Anant Ambani presented Messi with an ultra-rare Richard Mille watch valued at over Rs 9 crore. Messi’s India tour began in Kolkata, where an event faced organisational issues, but his subsequent stops in Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi drew massive crowds eager to catch a glimpse of the football icon.