Anant Ambani, Radhika Merchant name lion cub ‘Lionel’ in honour of football legend Messi

Lionel Messi had a guided tour of Vantara, where he explored the centre’s expansive conservation ecosystem.

Updated on: Dec 17, 2025, 08:18:39 IST

By Trisha Sengupta

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Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant named a lion cub ‘Lionel’ to show their appreciation for Argentinian football legend Messi. Lionel Messi, during his Indian tour, visited Vantara, where he explored the wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and conservation centre’s expansive conservation ecosystem.

Lionel Messi with Anant Ambani, Radhika Merchant, and others during the Vantara visit. (X/@ANI)

“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,” ANI reported, citing a Vantara statement.

Also Read: Lionel Messi hugs Anant Ambani, performs traditional rituals during Vantara visit

What did Messi say about the visit?

When Anant Ambani thanked Messi for visiting Vantara, the star player replied in Spanish. According to ANI, he said, “"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. 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."

Lionel Messi watching a lion at Vantara. (X/@ANI)

Messi was on a tour of India, which started in Kolkata. However, the event in the city was marred by chaos. The legend then visited Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi.

While in Vantara, he explored the centre with Anant Ambani and Radhika Mechant. He also performed traditional rituals, including aarti, while at Jamnagar.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Trisha Sengupta
Trisha Sengupta works as Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of experience in the digital newsroom. Known for her ability to decode the internet’s most talked-about moments, she specialises in high-engagement storytelling that bridges the gap between viral trends and traditional journalism. Throughout her tenure, Trisha has focused on the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. She frequently covers personal finance and real estate struggles in hubs like Gurgaon, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, while also documenting the unique challenges of the NRI experience. Her work often highlights the movements and philosophies of global newsmakers and personalities like Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, Nikhil Kamath, Dubai crown prince, and MrBeast. From reporting on Amazon or Meta layoffs and startup culture to the emergence of AI-driven platforms like Grok and xAI, she provides a grounded and empathetic perspective on the stories shaping our world. When not decoding the internet, Trisha is likely offline: lost in a book, exploring a historical ruin, or navigating the world as a solo traveler. She balances her fast-paced career with family time and a healthy dose of curiosity, currently trading her "human" sources for silicon ones as she masters AI to future-proof her storytelling.Read More

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