Lionel Messi might be the greatest footballer on the planet, but he's just opened up about something that makes him feel very human. In a brutally honest podcast chat with Argentine keeper Nahuel Guzmán, Messi admitted that not speaking English fluently has made him feel "ignorant" at times.
The Inter Miami superstar didn't hold back. He talked about how this language barrier has affected him, especially now that he's playing in the United States where English is everywhere.
Messi's Education Regrets
Speaking on the podcast Miro de Atrás, the World Cup winner got real about his school days. Messi revealed he only finished high school before football took over his entire life. After joining Newell's Old Boys and then making his legendary move to Barcelona, education took a back seat.
"In my last year in Argentina, since I knew I was leaving, I didn't do anything. I regret so many things—I tell my kids this," Messi said. He stressed the importance of getting a good education and being prepared for life beyond the pitch.
Now in MLS, Messi regularly meets international stars, business moguls, and A-list celebrities. That's when the language gap really hits him. "I tell my kids that today they have the opportunity—don't waste it," the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner said.
Missing Out on Opportunities
Messi was even harder on himself when discussing his younger days. "I had time to study English as a kid and I didn't do it. I was an idiot," he confessed. "Now I'm around incredible celebrities and sometimes I've felt like an ignorant person."
Anyone who follows Inter Miami knows Messi sticks to Spanish in interviews and marketing campaigns. While teammates chat in English, French, or Chinese, he keeps it simple with his native tongue.
For Inter Miami fans and those betting on MLS action, this insight shows a different side of their captain. It doesn't affect his on-field brilliance—he's still delivering match-winning performances. But it reminds us that even the GOAT has regrets and areas where he wishes he'd done things differently.
Hopefully, his honest words will inspire young players to balance their football dreams with education. After all, life after football is long, and being prepared matters just as much as scoring goals.
