Football legend LIONEL MESSI has openly admitted that one of his biggest personal regrets is not learning English when he was younger, saying he missed a valuable opportunity that sometimes made him feel limited during his career. The Inter Miami CF forward shared the reflection during an appearance on the Miro de Atrás podcast, where he spoke candidly about how the language barrier affected him, especially when meeting other influential figures in the sport and beyond.
Messi, aged 38 and captain of the Argentina national team, said that although he had time as a child to study English, he didn’t take full advantage of that chance. “To not have learned English as a boy… I had the time to have at least studied English and I didn’t do it. I deeply regret it,” he said, adding that there were moments when he felt “half ignorant” because he couldn’t communicate as freely as he wanted.
He explained that this experience has shaped how he advises his own children about the value of education and being prepared for life off the pitch. Messi urged young people to seize the opportunities they have, saying that while football has taught him many lessons, formal learning is invaluable.
The Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona veteran, now playing in the United States, admitted that his final school year in Argentina was poor and that his focus was already shifting toward his football career. Despite his success on the pitch including multiple Ballon d’Or achievements and a World Cup triumph Messi’s comments reveal a surprising moment of self-reflection that resonates with many about the importance of continuous learning.
