Lionel Messi, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and current Inter Miami CF star, has revealed that one of his biggest personal regrets is not learning English while growing up.
In a candid interview segment that has since gone viral, the Argentine football icon described the language barrier as a persistent shortcoming in his life, even after achieving virtually everything possible in the sport.
"I regret not learning English," Messi said, according to translations of his remarks shared widely on social media and reported by outlets covering his life off the pitch. "It's one of the things I wish I had done differently. Despite everything I've accomplished in football, there are still moments where I feel limited because I don't speak the language fluently."
The 38-year-old, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, explained that growing up in Rosario, Argentina, English was not a priority in his environment. His focus was almost entirely on football from a very young age, leaving little room for academic or linguistic development outside of Spanish.
Messi, who now lives and plays in the United States with Inter Miami, has often relied on translators during press conferences, interviews, and public appearances in English-speaking countries. While he understands some English and can follow basic conversations, he has rarely spoken it publicly without assistance.
The admission has resonated with fans and commentators, many of whom noted the irony: a global superstar whose name and achievements are recognized in every corner of the world still feels personally limited by a language he never fully mastered.
Despite the regret, Messi emphasized that football has been his true universal language. "On the pitch, you don't need words. The ball speaks for itself," he added lightheartedly in the same interview.
The Inter Miami forward has previously spoken about focusing intensely on football from childhood, moving to Barcelona at age 13 to join La Masia academy, where Spanish and Catalan became his primary languages. English-language education was not a significant part of his development path.
The confession has sparked widespread discussion online, with supporters praising his humility and others sharing their own language-learning regrets. Many pointed out that Messi's global influence transcends any linguistic barrier—his actions on the field have made him understood by millions without needing words.
Messi currently plays in Major League Soccer (MLS), where English is the dominant language of media, coaching instructions, and daily communication. He has improved his comprehension over time but has never claimed fluency.
The Inter Miami star is expected to continue his career in the United States through at least the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico—giving him more exposure to English-speaking environments.
