Lionel Messi has revealed that one of his biggest personal regrets is not learning English while growing up, admitting the missed opportunity has left him feeling limited at times despite his extraordinary football success.
The Argentine superstar made the confession during an appearance on the Miro de Atrás podcast, reflecting on moments when language barriers prevented him from fully engaging with people he admired.
“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,” said the 2022 World Cup winner. “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 explained that he consistently encourages his children to take advantage of the opportunities available to them, noting that their upbringing differs significantly from his own, even though he never went without the basics.
The forward, who joined Inter Miami CF in 2023 after a two-year spell at Paris Saint-Germain F.C., added that football itself has been a powerful teacher throughout his life.
“I was able to do everything and reach the top in football, but along the way there are many experiences and lessons learned,” he said.
“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.”