MIAMI — Lionel Messi has revealed one of his biggest personal regrets: not learning English when he was younger, admitting that it has made him feel “semi-ignorant” at times during his global career.
The 38-year-old Argentina captain, who currently plays for Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami CF, said the language barrier can sometimes limit his ability to fully interact with the influential people he meets along the way.
“I didn’t learn English when I was a boy. At least I had time to study English, but I didn’t. I regret it very much,” Messi said on the Milo de Atlas podcast.
“I’ve been in situations where I’ve been around people who have incredible personalities and I feel like they’re semi-clueless even when I’m having conversations and chatting with them.
“I always thought, ‘What a stupid thing to waste my time on.’ When you’re young, you don’t realize that.”
Messi, who moved to Barcelona from Rosario at the age of 13 and completed his education at the club’s famous La Masia academy, said his experience informs the advice he now gives to his children.
“What I’m telling my kids today is the importance of getting a good education, the importance of studying and being prepared. I always tell my kids to take advantage of it. They have different situations than I do.”
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Despite the frustration, Messi has let his soccer do most of the talking in the United States.
Since leaving Paris Saint-Germain to join Inter Miami in 2023, the Argentine icon has helped the club win the League Cup, Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup titles, adding the MLS Golden Boot to his collection of personal honors.
Messi also reflected on the broader lessons he has learned throughout his career, including his historic spells at FC Barcelona, PSG and Inter Miami, as well as leading the Argentina national football team to glory at the 2022 World Cup.
“I was able to do everything and reach the top (in soccer), but I learned a lot of experiences and lessons along the way,” he said.
“For sure, 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 the place.”
