Football legend concludes historic India tour at Vantara wildlife center.
Jamnagar: The whirlwind visit of global football icon Lionel Messi to India has officially come to a close. On Tuesday, the Argentine superstar was spotted at the Jamnagar airport in Gujarat, marking the end of his highly anticipated trip. Before boarding his flight, Messi made a special visit to Vantara, the massive wildlife rescue and conservation center, where he was personally hosted by Anant Ambani.
The visit to the wildlife center served as the final engagement of the 'GOAT India Tour 2025.' Over the past week, the World Cup-winning captain has traveled across the country, making headlines in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi.
Grand Finale in Delhi
Just prior to his arrival in Jamnagar, Messi wrapped up the tour's official engagements in the national capital on December 15. The atmosphere at New Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium was electric as fans gathered to catch a glimpse of the legend. Accompanied by his close friends and teammates, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, Messi watched a celebrity exhibition match featuring the Minerva Messi All Stars.
Although he did not play a full game, Lionel Messi stepped onto the pitch to interact with players and exchanged passes with Suarez and De Paul, creating unforgettable memories for the young footballers present. The Delhi event was a star-studded affair attended by dignitaries such as ICC Chairman Jay Shah and former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia. As a gesture of goodwill, Shah presented the trio with custom Indian cricket jerseys and a commemorative bat signed by cricket legends.
Tour of Highlights and Hype
The tour provided several iconic moments for Indian sports fans. In Mumbai, the football wizard graced the Wankhede Stadium, where he met Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar and football star Sunil Chhetri.
In Hyderabad, the energy was unmatched at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium. Fans were treated to Messi in action during a 7-on-7 exhibition match, an event that also saw the presence of Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
However, the tour had a rocky start in Kolkata. The first leg of the journey was marred by logistical issues and chaos at the venue. Despite the football-crazy city's excitement, many fans expressed frustration over poor visibility and crowd management, claiming they could barely see the star they had waited hours to welcome.
With the tour now complete, Lionel Messi leaves behind a trail of excitement and a renewed passion for football across the nation.
