Lionel Messi Reflects on Regrets of Not Learning English

Messi's Reflections on Language and Education

In a recent episode of the Mexican podcast "Miro de Atras," Lionel Messi, the legendary Argentine footballer and FIFA World Cup champion, expressed his regret over not mastering English during his youth. He shared that this lack of language skills often leaves him feeling "half-ignorant" when engaging with influential figures globally.

Messi, who currently plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS) and leads the Argentine national team, reflected on his missed chances. He stated, "I regret many things. Not having learned English as a boy. I had the time to have at least studied English, and I did not do it. I deeply regret it."

He recounted moments spent with remarkable personalities, where he felt limited in communication, saying, "I always thought: 'What an idiot, how I wasted my time.'"

The football star emphasized the importance of education to his children, urging them to seize opportunities that he felt he missed. "I always tell my children to take advantage of it. They have a different situation from the one I had, although I never lacked anything," he remarked.

Messi also reminisced about his early days, moving from his hometown of Rosario to Barcelona at the age of 13. He described his final year of schooling in Argentina as a "disaster," knowing he would soon leave for Spain. "At Barcelona, I finished my high school with the other children who went to [FC Barcelona's youth academy] La Masia," he added.

Having joined Inter Miami in 2023 after two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain, Messi reflected on the life lessons football has imparted to him, highlighting the values and enduring friendships formed through the sport. "It's true that football is a way of life. It teaches you a lot, it gives you a lot of values. It creates lifelong bonds. You get to know places," he concluded.