Lionel Messi has opened up in a rare, candid interview about one of the few things he regrets in his extraordinary career: not learning English properly when he was younger. The 38-year-old Inter Miami star and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner revealed that language barriers left him feeling isolated during key moments of his global fame, particularly in press conferences and sponsor interactions after his move to Europe. Speaking in Spanish during a wide-ranging conversation with journalist Migue Granados on the podcast La Cruda, Messi said, “I regret not having studied English more when I was young. It would have helped me a lot, especially in interviews and dealing with people directly. I always needed a translator, and sometimes I felt I couldn’t express exactly what I wanted to say.”

The admission surprised many, given Messi’s status as arguably the greatest footballer of all time. Despite his unparalleled success—World Cup triumph in 2022, multiple Champions Leagues, La Liga titles, and an unmatched goal-scoring record—he has always relied on translators for English-speaking media. Messi explained that growing up in Rosario, Argentina, English was never a priority. When he moved to Barcelona’s La Masia academy at age 13, the club’s environment was predominantly Catalan and Spanish-speaking. “At Barça, everything was in Spanish or Catalan,” he recalled. “I never really had to use English until much later, and by then it was harder to learn.”

The regret extends beyond convenience. Messi acknowledged that better English would have allowed him to connect more personally with fans worldwide, especially in the United States, where he now plays for Inter Miami and enjoys massive popularity. “Now I see how important it is,” he said. “I want to speak directly to people, without anyone in between. It’s something I think about a lot.”

Perhaps even more surprising was Messi’s revelation that early in his Barcelona career he was approached about the possibility of representing Spain at international level. Although he had already played for Argentina’s youth teams, Spanish football authorities—aware of his dual eligibility through residency—quietly sounded him out when he was still a teenager breaking into the first team. “There was a moment when people from the Spanish federation spoke to my family and suggested the idea,” Messi confirmed. “But my heart was always with Argentina. I never seriously considered it.”

The comment reignited long-running debates about national identity and eligibility in football. Messi made his senior debut for Argentina in 2005 and went on to captain the team to Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024, plus the 2022 World Cup—achievements that cemented his legacy as Argentina’s greatest player. Had he chosen Spain, he could have been part of their golden generation that won the 2008 and 2012 Euros and the 2010 World Cup. Instead, his loyalty to Argentina—despite early criticism from fans during trophy droughts—became one of the defining narratives of his career.

Messi also reflected on how language affected his early experiences in Europe. Arriving in Barcelona as a shy 13-year-old, he struggled not only with homesickness and growth hormone treatment but also with communication outside the club bubble. “I was very quiet,” he admitted. “I didn’t speak much, even in Spanish at first. English was another world away.” He credited teammates like Ronaldinho, Xavi, and Iniesta for helping him settle, but acknowledged that a stronger grasp of English could have eased sponsor obligations and media duties later on.

The interview has resonated widely. Fans flooded social media with support, many sharing their own regrets about not learning languages earlier. Others praised Messi’s humility, noting that even the most decorated player in history still has insecurities. In Argentina and Miami, where he is idolized, the comments were seen as another layer of his relatable personality—proof that behind the genius lies a man who reflects honestly on his journey.

Messi’s candor comes at a time when he is enjoying a new chapter in MLS. Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, he has transformed the franchise’s profile, sold out stadiums across the league, and helped win the Leagues Cup in his debut season. Off the pitch, he remains heavily involved in his family life, with wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their three sons Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro frequently by his side. Learning English now, he joked, might still happen—“maybe my kids can teach me.”

The revelation about the Spain approach also prompted reflection from former Spanish federation officials, though none have publicly confirmed the outreach. At the time, Spain was aggressively pursuing dual-nationality talents (Cesc Fàbregas, Fernando Torres, and others had already committed), and Messi’s prodigious talent made him an obvious target. Yet his decision to stay loyal to Argentina ultimately delivered the country its first World Cup since 1986 and gave Messi the crowning achievement that had eluded him for so long.

In many ways, Messi’s regret about English mirrors a broader truth: even the most gifted individuals carry small “what ifs.” For a player who has achieved almost everything possible in football, the fact that he still wishes he had mastered another language speaks to his relentless self-improvement mindset. As he approaches the twilight of his career, these reflections remind fans that greatness is not just about trophies—it’s also about the quiet moments of introspection that shape a legend.