SUMMARY
- Over the years, Lionel Messi has only spoken in Spanish.
- However, Messi can only speak a few words in English.
Throughout his career, Lionel Messi has maintained his tradition of only speaking Spanish. Unlike most soccer players who have played in different countries, Messi refuses to speak in any other language. Even during his two-year stint at PSG, Leo barely even spoke a word of French. However, his Inter Miami teammate has finally revealed the first few words that Messi spoke in English.
Born in Argentina, Lionel Messi has a thick Argentine-Spanish accent. Although he faced no problems during his time at FC Barcelona, Messi stuck to his Argentine accent and didn’t mix it with the more traditional Spanish accent. However, since his transfer to Inter Miami last year, Messi has become much more proficient in English.
Julian Gressel: “Leo and I have been joking with each other since the early days, and when we were in Saudi Arabia, I don’t remember which match, but I think it was the first match against Al Hilal. He came and covered his mouth as he always does because of the cameras and said… pic.twitter.com/MOTtqhVPjQ
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) March 1, 2024
Messi’s new Inter Miami teammate Julian Gressel is a witness to how the former has been getting more comfortable in Spanish. During a recent interview, Gressel admitted that Lionel Messi has been practicing his English. Gressel revealed that during Inter Miami‘s recent pre-season friendly against Al-Hilal, the Argentine came to him with some tactical suggestions.
Messi advised Gressel in English to stay more in the midfield and let Jordi Alba make runs into the box. Later, the Inter Miami skipper went to Gressel to receive some feedback. Gressel revealed, “He (Messi) said to me: “My English is very good, right?” I told him: Yes, very good. I understood everything.” However, the soccer fans are still waiting for Messi to make his first public statement in English.
Former Inter Miami skipper claims Lionel Messi’s English is “good enough”
Besides Julian Gressel, Inter Miami’s former skipper DeAndre Yedlin also had his say on Lionel Messi’s English skills. Shortly after Messi arrived in Miami, Yedlin spoke about his first impression of the 2022 World Cup winner. Yedlin also admitted that while Messi was getting better at English, for the time being, his English was enough to get by.
Yedlin said, “His English is enough to get by. He talks to everyone.” Moreover, Messi’s fellow Inter Miami teammate, Robert Taylor, also praised Leo’s English. Taylor admitted that while Messi’s English isn’t still conversational, he has a decent grasp of the language. Interestingly, Lionel Messi disclosed that he has been taking English lessons during his first few days as a PSG player.
Lionel Messi clears the air regarding his son Mateo’s soccer career
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi has wasted no time in shutting down rumors about his son Mateo Messi. Over the last few days, an alleged statement from Messi regarding his son Mateo’s soccer career has been making the rounds on social media platforms. The alleged quote from Messi reads, “There are several academies in America that wanted to sign Mateo, but I enrolled him in Miami. He has talent and I think he resembles my style when I was young.”
🗞️ | A news page recently posted the following on IG:
– “There are several academies in America that wanted to sign my son Mateo but I registered him in the Inter Miami academy. He has talent and I think his playing style is similar to mine when I was young.”
📲 | Leo Messi… pic.twitter.com/NE1tCUz1Je
— Barça Worldwide (@BarcaWorldwide) March 2, 2024
However, Messi took to his Instagram and commented on a post highlighting the quote and labeling it as untrue. He wrote in Spanish, “That’s not true, I never said that.” To put things into context, the fake quote started to spread after the recent performances of Messi’s first and second children, Thiago and Mateo. Both brothers have been following in their father’s footsteps and have been enrolled at Inter Miami’s academy.
Mateo Messi bagged a hat trick for Inter Miami at the Freedom Cup earlier this month…
Following in his fathers footsteps 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/UWuWWrFUQ9
— Youth Soccer Central (@yscentral) December 30, 2023
Thiago and Mateo are displaying that they share their father’s DNA after all. Most recently, Mateo was spotted scoring a hat trick for Inter Miami’s junior side. In addition to this, Thiago also celebrated his first title with Inter Miami’s U-12 side after he won the Weston Cup and even scored in the final. With Lionel Messi in the twilight of his career, it might be time for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner to pass the mantle to his sons.