Lionel Messi has made a rare and deeply personal admission, revealing that he regrets not learning English during his younger years, despite having the opportunity to do so.
The Argentine legend, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, shared his thoughts while reflecting on the importance of education and communication beyond the football pitch.
“I had the time to study it but I didn’t do it,” Messi said. “Then I went through situations with wonderful people when I couldn’t talk to them the way I should have.”
The Inter Miami star admitted that language barriers often made him feel uncomfortable in social and professional environments, especially when interacting with people from different cultures. “In those cases, you feel ignorant and you ask yourself: how did I waste that time? Education and studying are very important,” he added.
Messi’s comments struck a chord with fans around the world, particularly young athletes who often focus solely on their sporting careers. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner stressed that football is not just about trophies and success, but also about personal development and learning from life experiences.