The highly publicized GOAT Tour of India featuring football superstar Lionel Messi has taken an unexpected, serene turn, with the Argentine legend and his Inter Miami teammate Luis Suárez arriving in Jamnagar, Gujarat, for a private visit.
Media shared visuals of the football icons’ arrival on Monday evening, showcasing a heavily secured convoy transporting them through the city, underlining the massive public attention surrounding their visit.
Hosted at Vantara by Anant Ambani
The stop in Jamnagar comes shortly after the conclusion of the public events in New Delhi and marks a private, one-night stay for the touring group.
- Host: Anant Ambani, Director of Reliance Industries Limited and founder of Vantara, is hosting Messi, Suárez, and other members of the touring group.
- Venue: They are staying at Vantara, the sprawling wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation centre located near the Reliance Jamnagar Refinery Complex. Vantara is regarded as one of the world’s largest animal rehabilitation projects, covering nearly 3,000 acres.
- Companions: Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul is also confirmed to be part of the trio making the overnight stop, which will mark the conclusion of their India visit before heading back.
Delhi Finale and Cricket-Football Fusion
The Jamnagar stop follows the official finale of the GOAT Tour in New Delhi on Monday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The event added a memorable chapter to the tour, bridging the gap between India’s two most loved sports:
- Dignitary Meetings: Messi met with ICC Chairman Jay Shah, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and DDCA President Rohan Jaitley.
- Jersey Swap: Jay Shah presented Indian cricket team jerseys to Messi (number 10), Suárez (number 9), and De Paul (number 7), each bearing the player’s name.
- T20 World Cup Invitation: Shah also extended a special invitation to Messi for the upcoming T20 World Cup, presenting him with a ticket to the tournament.
Tour Highlights and Kolkata Chaos
The extensive GOAT Tour included stops in Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai before the Delhi and Jamnagar legs.
- Kolkata Incident: The tour started on a chaotic note in Kolkata on Saturday. Fans who had paid high ticket prices for the Salt Lake Stadium event reportedly became agitated after Messi left the venue earlier than expected, leading to scenes of frustration and property damage.
- Successful Stops: The visits to Hyderabad and Mumbai were noted for smoother interactions, including Messi meeting Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri and cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar at the Wankhede Stadium.
Despite the initial chaos in Kolkata, the presence of Messi and Suárez in Jamnagar continues to draw massive attention, highlighting the extraordinary global appeal of the football stars.