Argentine football star Lionel Messi wrapped up his India visit with a tour of Vantara, the wildlife conservation and rehabilitation centre founded by Anant Ambani. The visit attracted wide attention on social media, not only for its conservation focus but also for a luxury watch reportedly linked to the occasion.
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Vantara’s official Instagram account shared a video showing Anant Ambani guiding Messi through the facility. During the tour, Anant explained the centre’s mission, highlighting animal welfare, rescue, and long-term rehabilitation as its core priorities.
What quickly caught the public eye, however, was the watch Messi appeared to be wearing later in the visit. Observant users pointed out that the footballer arrived without a watch and was subsequently seen wearing an exclusive timepiece during the tour.
Anant Ambani, son of Asia’s richest man Mukesh Ambani gifted Messi an ultra-rare Richard Mille RM 003 V2 “Asia Edition” watch, estimated to be worth $1.1 million. pic.twitter.com/LhInWPtqhn
— Messi Fanatic (@MessiFanatic_) December 16, 2025
Anant Ambani gifts Messi a $ 1,2 MILLION Richard Mille !!
The watch he was gifted by the Indian billionaire son was no joke, but the rare 12 pieces limited RM 003-V2 GMT Tourbillon “Asia Edition” featuring a black carbon case with a skeleton dial, priced $ 1,200,000.00 pic.twitter.com/GPtjVzatYY
— The Index Insider (@TheIndexInsider) December 17, 2025
Indian media reports, including NDTV, claimed that Anant Ambani gifted Messi a rare Richard Mille watch worth approximately $1.1 million. The watch was identified as the Richard Mille RM 003-V2 GMT Tourbillon “Asia Edition,” with only 12 pieces produced worldwide.
The reported value of the watch sparked further discussion, as it is close to Messi’s monthly salary at Inter Miami. According to figures from the MLS Players Association, the footballer earns a total of $20.45 million annually with the club.
Messi’s India tour had begun on a turbulent note in Kolkata, where fans caused chaos at a ticketed event after he made only a brief appearance. The unrest overshadowed the start of his visit and drew criticism over event management.
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His final appearance in New Delhi, however, was markedly calmer. Messi greeted cheering fans, waved to supporters in Argentina jerseys, and interacted warmly by kicking footballs into the crowd and posing for selfies, ending his visit on a positive note.