Lionel Messi Admits Regret Over Not Learning English: 'I Had Time To Have At...'

Last Updated:February 26, 2026, 10:00 IST

Lionel Messi regrets not learning English and shares his journey from La Masia to Inter Miami and thoughts on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Legendary footballer Lionel Messi has admitted that he regrets not having learned English during his long playing career, adding that he had time to at least study the language, but he didn’t do it, which will definitely remain one of his regrets from his playing days.

Messi made the remarks during an appearance on a Mexican podcast. He is preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after capping off a brilliant campaign with Inter Miami.

Messi faced his share of challenges during his early years in Spain, continuing his schooling in Catalonia while training and studying alongside fellow youngsters at La Masia.

“I regret many things. Not having learned English as a boy. I had the time to have at least studied English and I didn’t do it. I deeply regret it," Messi said.

“I experienced situations where I was with incredible and spectacular personalities to be able to talk and have a chat and you feel half ignorant. I always thought: ‘What an idiot, how I wasted my time," Messi added.

In hindsight, the Argentine footballer admits he wishes he had made better use of that period in his life.

“I always tell my children to take advantage of it. They have a different situation from the one I had, although I never lacked anything," Messi said.

“It [my last year of school in Argentina] was a disaster. I knew that I was leaving for Barcelona. At Barcelona, I finished my high school with the other children who went to [FC Barcelona’s youth academy] La Masia," Messi added.

After departing Barcelona, he endured a tough spell in France, where he was jeered by sections of the Paris Saint-Germain support.

“I was able to do everything and reach the top [in football], but along the way, there are many experiences and lessons learned," Messi said.

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