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Abhinav Bindra urges intent beyond inspiration as Lionel Messi experiences Indian traditions
He questioned whether India is building a sustainable sporting culture or merely celebrating visiting icons.
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Prabhjot Paul Singh - Tue, 16, Dec 2025
- 22:35 EST
- 19
Abhinav Bindra / Wikipedia
India’s first individual Olympic gold medalist, Abhinav Bindra, welcomed the visit of football icon Lionel Messi to India but cautioned sports administrators against mistaking symbolic moments for systemic progress.
“Great sporting nations are not built by moments; they are built by systems, by patience, by belief in the ordinary child with an extraordinary dream,” Bindra said in a social media post. “Icons like Messi inspire us, and that inspiration matters deeply. But inspiration must be met with intent, with long-term commitment and with choices that reflect not just what excites us today but what will strengthen us tomorrow.”
Bindra praised Messi as “one of those rare athletes whose story transcends sport,” citing his journey from a child overcoming physical challenges to a footballer who redefined excellence.
ALSO READ: Messi experiences Indian tradition and wildlife
“As someone who has lived the life of an athlete, I hold profound respect and admiration for what he represents — perseverance, humility and an uncompromising pursuit of greatness,” Bindra wrote.
However, he said parts of Messi’s visit felt “chaotic” and prompted reflection. “It compelled me to pause and reflect, not in judgment but in genuine concern about what we were really trying to achieve,” he said.
Bindra said he understood the commercial realities of modern sport and stressed that he did not fault Messi. “He has earned every opportunity that comes his way, and admiration for greatness is natural, even beautiful,” he said. “But admiration must also invite introspection.”
He questioned whether India is building a sustainable sporting culture or merely celebrating visiting icons. “If we truly wish to honor legends like Messi, the most meaningful way to do so is not through grand gestures but by ensuring that somewhere in India a young child has a field to play on, a coach to believe in them and a chance to dream,” Bindra said. “That is how sporting cultures are born. And that is how legacies endure.”
Bindra’s comments came as Messi took part in religious and cultural events during his visit. The Argentine star joined prayers and participated in a Maha Aarti, including Ambe Mata Puja, Ganesh Puja, Hanuman Puja and Shiv Abhishek, offering prayers for world peace and unity.
Messi also visited Vantara, a wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and conservation center founded by Anant Ambani. The center’s initiatives begin with traditional observances aligned with Sanatana Dharma, emphasizing reverence for nature and all living beings.
Accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, Messi was welcomed with folk music, ceremonial aarti and floral offerings. He toured Vantara’s conservation facilities, including centers for big cats, elephants, herbivores and reptiles, as well as a multispecialty wildlife hospital.
At the Elephant Care Centre, Messi met Maniklal, a rescued elephant calf saved along with his mother from forced labor in the logging industry. In a widely noted moment, Messi participated in a football enrichment activity with the calf, underscoring what organizers described as the universal language of play.
Anant Ambani and Radhika Ambani also named a lion cub “Lionel” in Messi’s honor, calling it a symbol of hope and continuity.
Speaking in Spanish, Messi praised the initiative. “What Vantara does is truly beautiful — the work for animals, the care they receive, the way they are rescued and looked after,” he said. “It is genuinely impressive. We had a wonderful time and felt completely at ease throughout.”
Messi later took part in traditional rituals including Nariyal Utsarg and Matka Phod, symbolizing goodwill and auspicious beginnings. The visit concluded with prayers for peace and well-being.
While Messi’s visit drew widespread admiration, Bindra’s message resonated beyond the spectacle — a reminder that inspiration, without investment in grassroots systems, risks fading once the moment passes.
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