Lionel Messi reveals his biggest regret over not learning English as a child and explains why he urges his children to value education

Argentina football legend Lionel Messi has revealed one of his biggest personal regrets, admitting that he wishes he had learned English while growing up.

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The 39-year-old forward said he had opportunities to study the language as a child but failed to take advantage of them, a decision he now deeply regrets.

Messi, who spent more than two decades at Barcelona before moving to Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami, reflected on how the language barrier affected his ability to communicate with influential people.

“I regret many things. To not have 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.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner explained that not knowing the language sometimes left him feeling unable to engage fully in conversations with people he admired.

“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,” he said.

He added that he would look back on those moments and wonder why he had not made better use of his time when he was younger.

“I always thought: ‘What an idiot, how I wasted my time,’” Messi said.

The Inter Miami star said his experience has influenced the advice he gives his children, particularly about the importance of education and preparation for the future.

“When you’re young, you don’t realise it. Today that’s what I tell my children, having a good education, to study and be prepared,” he said.

Messi also encouraged his children to make the most of the opportunities available to them, noting that their circumstances differ from those he experienced while growing up.

“I always tell my children to take advantage of it. They have a different situation to the one I had although I never lacked anything…” he added.

Despite his regret over not learning English earlier, Messi has enjoyed one of the most successful careers in football history, winning major domestic and international honours with Barcelona, Argentina and Inter Miami.

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His comments highlight a personal lesson beyond football, with the Argentine urging young people to take education seriously and make use of learning opportunities before they pass.