Lionel Messi, the Argentine football superstar, was recently gifted an ultra-rare watch valued at approximately £825,000 by Indian billionaire Anant Ambani during his four-day tour of India. The limited edition Richard Mille timepiece, known as the 003-V2 GMT Tourbillon ‘Asia Edition’, is one of only twelve pieces available globally.
Messi arrived in India on March 2, 2024, for his promotional ‘GOAT tour’, which included appearances in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. His visit faced a challenging start when he spent just five minutes at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, where an enthusiastic crowd of 85,000 had gathered. Ticket prices reached up to $100, and Messi’s premature exit led to chaotic scenes, with fans invading the pitch and throwing objects in frustration.
Despite the rocky beginning, Messi concluded his tour on a positive note. He visited the Vantara Global Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Centre in Jamnagar, owned by Mukesh Ambani. Anant Ambani presented Messi with the exquisite watch, which features a black carbon case and a skeleton dial. Shortly after receiving it, Messi was photographed wearing the elegant piece.
This luxurious gift adds to Messi’s impressive collection of high-end watches. He has previously been seen wearing a £700,000 pink Barbie Daytona and a £505,000 Rainbow Daytona.
Upon completing his tour on March 5, 2024, Messi expressed his gratitude through an Instagram post, saying, “Namaste India! What incredible visits to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. Thanks for the warm welcome, great hospitality, and all the expressions of love throughout my tour. I hope football has a bright future in India!”
Messi’s trip to India followed a significant achievement in his professional career. Just a week prior, he helped lead Inter Miami to their first-ever MLS Cup, securing a 3-1 victory against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Despite finishing third in the Eastern Conference, Inter Miami triumphed in the playoffs, adding to Messi’s trophy cabinet. With this latest victory, he has now won a remarkable 44 trophies throughout his illustrious career.
As Messi prepares for the next MLS season, which begins in February 2026, he will also focus on defending Argentina’s title at the upcoming World Cup, seeking to replicate the success of their previous championship win.
