Messi visits wildlife rehab centre in India; lion cub named after him

Football icon Lionel Messi visited a wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and conservation centre funded by the son of India's billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani in Gujarat state and enjoyed traditional rituals there.

Mukesh Ambani's son Anant Ambani and his wife Radhika Merchant named a lion cub at the conservation centre "Lionel" to show their appreciation for Argentinian football legend Messi's visit, ANI reported, citing a statement issued by the rehabilitation centre called "Vantara."

Accompanied by his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, Messi received a warm traditional welcome, complete with vibrant folk music, floral tributes as he visited the Vantara wildlife conservation centre in Jamnagar district.

During the visit, Messi toured Vantara's conservation ecosystem which houses rescued big cats, elephants, herbivores, reptiles and fostered animals. He engaged with caregivers and veterinary staff, observing advanced animal welfare practices.

"What Vantara does is truly beautiful, the work for animals, the care they receive, the way they are rescued and looked after. It is genuinely impressive," Messi was quoted as saying in a release.

"We had a wonderful time, felt completely at ease throughout, and it is an experience that stays with you. We will surely visit again to continue inspiring and supporting this meaningful work," he added.

Messi and his clubmates wrapped a four-day GOAT visit to India that had begun in Kolkata amidst chaos and violence. The incident at the city's Salt Lake Stadium led to the resignation of Arup Biswas as West Bengal Sports Minister yesterday (16 December).