Lionel Messi, the legendary figure in football and captain of Argentina’s national team, recently shared his thoughts on not learning English during his youth. He expressed that this absence of language skills makes him feel “half-ignorant” in conversations with influential people around the globe.
During an appearance on the podcast “Miro de Atras,” Messi reflected on the various opportunities he missed due to his lack of proficiency in English. He stated, “I regret many things. Not having learned English as a boy. I had the time to have at least studied English, and I did not do it. I deeply regret it.”
In his candid remarks, he also mentioned experiences where he found himself among remarkable individuals but was unable to engage fully in conversation. This left him feeling inadequate. Messi remarked, “I always thought: ‘What an idiot, how I wasted my time.'”
Messi emphasized the importance of education to his children, encouraging them to appreciate their opportunities. He believes that while he never lacked anything growing up, his children have a different set of circumstances that allow for greater educational pursuits today.
Reflecting on his early life, Messi revealed that he moved to Barcelona from his hometown of Rosario at the age of 13. He described his last year of schooling in Argentina as a “disaster,” knowing that he would be leaving for a new chapter in Spain. His education continued at La Masia, FC Barcelona’s youth academy, where he completed high school.
Since joining Inter Miami in 2023 after two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain, Messi has spoken about the invaluable lessons that his football career has imparted. He highlighted how the sport not only teaches essential values but also fosters lasting friendships and connections.
“Football is a way of life,” Messi noted. “It teaches you a lot, it gives you a lot of values. It creates lifelong bonds. You get to know places.” These reflections underscore the dual influence of his athletic journey and the importance he places on education and communication skills.