Lionel Messi might be the greatest footballer on the planet, but he's just admitted something that makes him incredibly relatable. The Inter Miami superstar opened up about struggling with English and how it's made him feel out of place at times.
In a refreshingly honest podcast interview with Argentine goalkeeper Nahuel Guzmán, Messi didn't hold back. He confessed that not speaking fluent English has left him feeling "ignorant" in certain situations, especially now that he's living and playing in the United States.
From Rosario to Barcelona Without English
Messi revealed he only completed high school before football took over his entire life. He started with Newell's Old Boys in Argentina before that famous move to Barcelona as a teenager. "In my last year in Argentina, since I knew I was leaving, I didn't do anything," Messi admitted on the Miro de Atrás podcast.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner now regrets not prioritizing education alongside football. He's making sure his own kids don't make the same mistake.
"I tell my kids that today they have the opportunity—don't waste it. I had time to study English as a kid and I didn't do it. I was an idiot," Messi said bluntly.
Life in Miami Makes the Difference Clear
Playing in Major League Soccer has put Messi in a completely different environment. He's constantly surrounded by international celebrities, business moguls, and global stars who speak multiple languages. That's when the language barrier really hits home.
"Now I'm around incredible celebrities and sometimes I've felt like an ignorant person," the World Cup champion confessed. It's a vulnerable admission from someone who's conquered everything else in football.
Anyone who follows Inter Miami knows Messi sticks to Spanish in interviews and marketing campaigns. While teammates switch between English, French, or even Chinese, Messi maintains his comfort zone. For Inter Miami fans and bettors watching the team's performances, Messi's comfort level off the pitch doesn't affect his genius on it—he's still delivering match-winning moments regardless of the language spoken around him.
This honest revelation shows there's more to being a complete professional than just skills and trophies. Messi's message to young players is clear: don't sacrifice education for football, because you can pursue both. His words carry extra weight coming from someone who's achieved literally everything in the sport but still sees gaps in his own development.
