Footballer Lionel Messi has revealed that one of his personal regrets is not learning English while growing up, describing it as a missed opportunity despite his extraordinary football career.
The forward shared this during an appearance on the podcast Miro de Atrás, where he spoke about moments in his life when his inability to speak English made him feel limited, especially in conversations with global figures.
Messi explained that although he had the time to study the language as a child, he did not take advantage of it. He admitted that in certain situations, being unable to communicate freely made him feel inadequate and regretful about not prioritizing learning English earlier in life.
“To not have learned English as a boy. I had the time to at least study it and I didn’t. I deeply regret it. I experienced situations where I was with incredible personalities, 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. Today, that’s what I tell my children, the importance of having a good education, studying and being prepared.”
Messi said the experience has shaped how he guides his own children. He now emphasizes the importance of education, preparation and making the most of opportunities, noting that they are growing up in circumstances different from his own childhood, even though he never lacked basic necessities.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner, who joined Inter Miami in 2023 following a two-year stint at , added that while formal education is important, football itself has also been one of his greatest teachers throughout his life and career.
“I was able to do everything and reach the top in football, but along the way there are many experiences and lessons learned.
“It’s true that football is a way of life. It teaches you a lot, gives you strong values, creates lifelong bonds, and allows you to discover new places.”
