MIAMI — Lionel Messi has revealed one of his biggest personal regrets — not learning English when he was younger — admitting it has left him feeling “half ignorant” at times in his global career.Now starring for Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer, the 38-year-old Argentina captain said the language barrier has occasionally limited his ability to fully engage with influential figures he has met along the way.Speaking on the “Miro de Atras” podcast, Messi said: “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.“I experienced situations where I was with incredible and spectacular personalities to be 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.”Messi, who moved to Barcelona from Rosario at 13 and completed his education at the club’s famed La Masia academy, said the experience now shapes the advice he gives his children.“Today that’s what I tell my children — the importance of having a good education, to study and be prepared. I always tell my children to take advantage of it. They have a different situation to the one I had.”Despite the regret, Messi has let his football do most of the talking in the United States.Since joining Inter Miami in 2023 following his departure from Paris Saint-Germain, the Argentine icon has helped the club capture the Leagues Cup, the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup titles, while adding the MLS Golden Boot to his collection of individual honors.Messi also reflected on the broader lessons he has learned across a career that includes historic spells with FC Barcelona, PSG and Inter Miami, as well as leading Argentina national football team to World Cup glory in 2022.“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, it gives you a lot of values. It creates lifelong bonds. You get to know places.”MIAMI — Lionel Messi has revealed one of his biggest personal regrets — not learning English when he was younger — admitting it has left him feeling “half ignorant” at times in his global career.Now starring for Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer, the 38-year-old Argentina captain said the language barrier has occasionally limited his ability to fully engage with influential figures he has met along the way.Speaking on the “Miro de Atras” podcast, Messi said: “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.“I experienced situations where I was with incredible and spectacular personalities to be 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.”Messi, who moved to Barcelona from Rosario at 13 and completed his education at the club’s famed La Masia academy, said the experience now shapes the advice he gives his children.“Today that’s what I tell my children — the importance of having a good education, to study and be prepared. I always tell my children to take advantage of it. They have a different situation to the one I had.”Despite the regret, Messi has let his football do most of the talking in the United States.Since joining Inter Miami in 2023 following his departure from Paris Saint-Germain, the Argentine icon has helped the club capture the Leagues Cup, the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup titles, while adding the MLS Golden Boot to his collection of individual honors.Messi also reflected on the broader lessons he has learned across a career that includes historic spells with FC Barcelona, PSG and Inter Miami, as well as leading Argentina national football team to World Cup glory in 2022.“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, it gives you a lot of values. It creates lifelong bonds. You get to know places.”
“What an idiot”: Messi regrets not learning English
