Wed Dec 17 18:00:04 UTC 2025: Summary:

Lionel Messi’s “G.O.A.T. Tour of India 2025” concluded with a visit to Anant Ambani’s Vantara wildlife rehabilitation center, where he participated in Hindu rituals. The tour was a mixed bag. It started with chaos in Kolkata, where fans rioted after a brief and unsatisfying stadium appearance. The organizer was arrested. Subsequent events in Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi were smoother, with Messi meeting dignitaries, celebrities like Sachin Tendulkar, and receiving gifts such as a cricket jersey and T20 World Cup tickets. Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul accompanied Messi throughout the tour.

News Article:

Messi’s India Tour Ends with Wildlife Visit and Hindu Rituals After Chaotic Start

Jamnagar, Gujarat – Lionel Messi’s much-anticipated “G.O.A.T. Tour of India 2025” wrapped up on Tuesday with a visit to Vantara, a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center founded by Anant Ambani. Accompanied by fellow Inter Miami stars Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul, Messi was seen participating in Hindu prayers, chanting “Har Har Mahadev” in a video that has quickly gone viral.

The three-day tour, however, was not without its challenges. The Kolkata leg of the tour began with disappointment for fans at the Salt Lake Stadium, who were left angered after a truncated 20-minute appearance where Messi was largely surrounded by politicians. The resulting chaos led to vandalism, and the tour organizer, Satadru Dutta, was arrested.

Subsequent events proved more successful. In Hyderabad, Messi met with Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Mumbai saw a packed Wankhede Stadium, where the Argentinian icon was gifted a No. 10 jersey by Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, and met with Sunil Chhetri. Delhi capped off the tour with an event at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, where Messi received tickets to the T20 World Cup 2026 from ICC chairman Jay Shah, along with custom Indian cricket jerseys. He also met former India footballers Bhaichung Bhutia and Aditi Chauhan.

Despite the initial setback in Kolkata, Messi’s visit generated significant excitement and demonstrated the global appeal of the football superstar.

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