GOAT Tour: did Anant Ambani gift a Richard Mille at Vantara? Messi just found out

WEB DESK: A Richard Mille watch valued at an estimated USD1.2 million is now gracing the wrist of football legend Lionel Messi, a parting gift from his recent private tour of the Vantara wildlife sanctuary in Gujarat. The extraordinary timepiece highlights a visit that blended immense wealth with cultural reverence and conservation advocacy, orchestrated by Anant Ambani, the youngest son of India’s wealthiest family.

The rare gift came to light after observers noted Messi had arrived at the sanctuary watch-free, only to later be seen wearing an exclusive Richard Mille RM 003-V2 GMT Tourbillon ‘Asia Edition’. This particular model is a globally limited masterpiece, with only 12 pieces in existence, featuring a distinctive black carbon case and a complex skeleton dial that showcases its intricate mechanics. With an approximate value of ₹10.9 crore (USD1.2m) or PKR 336,763,318.80 the watch instantly became one of the most talked-about souvenirs from the Argentine superstar’s “G.O.A.T.” tour of India.

A sanctuary of splendour

Messi’s visit to Vantara, a sprawling, state-of-the-art animal rescue and conservation initiative founded by Anant Ambani, was steeped in ceremony. In accordance with Sanatana Dharma traditions observed at the centre, Messi, alongside Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, participated in traditional Hindu rituals. The welcoming ceremony included folk music, floral showers, and a ceremonial aarti. Messi also took part in several pujas (prayer rituals), including those dedicated to deities Ganesh and Hanuman.

Beyond the rituals, the football icon toured the sanctuary’s extensive facilities, interacting with a range of rescued animals, from big cats like lions and tigers to elephants and reptiles. Messi was also engaged in a playful football-based enrichment activity with Maniklal, a rescued elephant calf.

A gesture beyond luxury

The gift exchange, however, was a display of ultra-high horology. While presenting Messi with the USD1.2 million watch, Anant Ambani himself was sporting an even more exclusive timepiece: the Richard Mille RM 056 Sapphire Tourbillon. Crafted from solid blocks of sapphire and valued at a staggering USD5 million (approx. ₹45.6 crore), it is one of the most exclusive watches ever created, underscoring the Ambani family’s famed affinity for rare watches.

In a lasting tribute, Anant and his wife, Radhika Merchant, named a rescued lion cub “Lionel” in the footballer’s honour. Deeply moved by the conservation work, Messi praised Vantara’s efforts as “truly beautiful,” stating the experience left a profound and lasting impression on him.

Blending worlds

The encounter between the sports icon and the business scion transcended a simple meeting of celebrities. It represented a fusion of global sporting prestige, immense personal wealth, deep cultural traditions, and a shared, highly publicised commitment to philanthropic conservation. The $1.2 million Richard Mille, a symbol of peak craftsmanship and value, serves as a tangible marker of this unique intersection, commemorating a day where luxury met legacy and compassion in the heart of an Indian wildlife sanctuary.