Lionel Messi has admitted he regrets not learning English while growing up, describing it as one of his personal shortcomings despite his remarkable football career.
The Inter Miami CF star made the revelation during an appearance on the podcast Miro de Atrás, where he reflected on moments in his life when not speaking English made him feel limited, particularly when meeting global personalities.
“To not have learned English as a boy. I had the time to at least study it and I didn’t. I deeply regret it,” said the 2022 World Cup winner. “I experienced situations where I was with incredible personalities, able to talk and have a chat, and you feel half ignorant.
“I always thought, ‘What an idiot, how I wasted my time.’ When you’re young, you don’t realise it. Today, that’s what I tell my children, the importance of having a good education, studying and being prepared.”
Messi stressed that he constantly encourages his children to make the most of their opportunities, noting that they are growing up in circumstances different from his own childhood, even though he never lacked the essentials.
The Argentine icon, who joined Inter Miami in 2023 after a two-year spell at Paris Saint-Germain F.C., added that football has still been a powerful teacher throughout his life.
“I was able to do everything and reach the top in football, but along the way there are many experiences and lessons learned,” he said.
“It’s true that football is a way of life. It teaches you a lot, gives you strong values, creates lifelong bonds, and allows you to discover new places.”