‘I feel ignorant’ – Messi regrets not learning English

Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi has opened up on one of his biggest personal regrets off the pitch, failing to learn English while growing up.

The Argentina captain and 2022 World Cup winner admitted that his inability to speak English left him feeling out of place in certain situations during his illustrious career, especially when interacting with global figures.

“I regret many things. 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,” Messi said on Mexican podcast Miro de Atras.

“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.’”

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner revealed that the experience has shaped how he now raises his children, stressing the importance of education and preparation for life beyond football.

“When you’re young, you don’t realise it. Today that’s what I tell my children — having a good education, to study and be prepared,” he said.

Messi moved from Rosario to join Barcelona at the age of 13 and admitted that his final year in school back in Argentina was far from ideal due to the uncertainty surrounding his move.

Despite his success on the pitch, the 38-year-old said football has taught him invaluable life lessons over the years, including discipline, values, and the importance of building lifelong relationships