Did Messi receive a million dollar watch from Anand Ambani during Vandara visit?

Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi wrapped up his tour of chaos-hit India with a visit to Vandara, where he was reportedly gifted a rare million-dollar watch by the son of Indian billionaire Anand Ambani.

The official Instagram account of Vantara, the wildlife conservation and rehabilitation center founded by Anant, shared a video showing him giving the football star a tour.

During the tour, Anant “shared the purpose that drives Vantara, where animal welfare comes first and every decision is shaped by care and long-term commitment,” read the post’s caption.

However, what caught the attention of netizens was the watch Messi wore during the tour.

Eagle-eyed social media users noticed that the Argentinian star arrived at the center without wearing a watch and was later spotted wearing a rare Richard Mille watch.

of India NDTV later reported that Anant gave Messi the watch worth around $1.1 million during the visit.

Shops identified it as the Richard Mille RM 003-V2 GMT Tourbillon “Asia Edition”, one of only 12 pieces made worldwide.

The watch is worth slightly less than Messi’s $1.7 million monthly salary at Inter Miami.

Figures released by the MLS Players Association showed the Inter Miami forward was paid a total of $20.45 million per year.

Messi kicked off his India tour in chaotic fashion at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on December 13, when fans threw objects, tore up seats and stormed the pitch.

Angry fans vandalized the stadium after the Argentine soccer great made only a brief appearance at a ticketed event.

Tickets for the event were priced from around $38.65 – more than half the average weekly income in India – with one fan saying he had paid $130 for the event.

However, his final appearance at the Arun Jaitley Stadium went smoothly as he greeted shouting supporters dressed in Argentina jerseys, waving flags and chanting his name.

Dressed in a pink jersey and black trousers, Messi wowed the crowd with his charm as he kicked soccer balls into the crowd and obliged star agents and fans with selfies.