Lionel Messi may be the most popular soccer player on the planet and one of the highest-paid athletes in the history of the sport, but that doesn’t exempt the Inter Miami superstar from having very human emotions. In a surprisingly honest appearance on a podcast with Argentina goalkeeper Nahuel Guzmun, the Argentina No. 10 admitted that his inability to communicate fluently in English can make him feel “ignorant” at certain moments.
Messi regrets and encourages education
In the podcast Milo de Atl, the World Cup champion opened up about his educational background. Messi revealed that he only studied up to high school before devoting his life to professional football, first with Newell’s Old Boys and then with FC Barcelona after his historic move.
Messi said: “In my last year in Argentina, after I knew I was leaving, I didn’t do anything. I regret many things. That’s what I tell my children. They should get a good education, study and prepare.”
Messi, who currently plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS), regularly interacts with international stars, business figures, and global celebrities. He admitted that because of that environment, he feels the effects of not learning English early in life.
“I tell my kids that today is their chance, don’t waste it. When I was a kid, I had time to study English, but I didn’t. I was an idiot. Now I’m with incredible celebrities, but sometimes I feel like an ignorant person,” confessed the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
It’s no secret that the Inter Miami captain is taking part in a global marketing campaign in which his teammates speak in English, French and even Chinese. However, Messi has consistently chosen to communicate only in Spanish, keeping a low profile in a multilingual environment.
This confession reveals a different side of Lionel Messi Onet, beyond his trophies, records and status as the GOAT in world football, highlighting the importance of education, academic preparation and personal development beyond the pitch.
I hope his words will inspire the younger generation to pursue both sporting excellence and academic advancement.
