Can Lionel Messi speak english?
Even after more than two decades at the center of global football, Lionel Messi has never seemed entirely at ease away from the pitch. While his influence on games remains undiminished deep into his 30s, his public demeanor has long been marked by restraint rather than showmanship.
That reserve surfaced again recently when Messi spoke candidly about language and communication during an appearance on the Argentine streaming channel LuzuTV, in comments later reported by Marca.
Asked about his use of English, the Inter Miami captain admitted that speaking publicly in any language other than Spanish continues to feel awkward, even after years spent living abroad.
“I feel strange when speaking, I don't like it and I prefer to do everything in Spanish, but as for English, I think I can speak and others understand me.”
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Messi explained that the issue is not fluency but comfort. According to Marca, he uses English in private settings but prefers to avoid it in front of cameras, a choice consistent with the low-key personality he has maintained throughout his career.
During the interview, hosts Nicolás Occhiato and Diego Leuco also revisited a moment from Messi’s Barcelona years: a promotional video recorded with Neymar and Luis Suárez to mark Chinese New Year. While his teammates attempted greetings in Chinese, Messi stuck to Spanish. He said the decision had been agreed in advance with the club and reflected personal modesty rather than disinterest.
That same approach has followed him across continents. Despite long spells in Europe and now life in the United States, Messi has rarely altered his public habits, choosing familiarity over performance when it comes to media exposure.
On the field, however, adaptation has never been an issue. Marca reported that Messi recently completed a standout season with Inter Miami, helping the club secure the MLS Cup while also earning MVP and Golden Boot honors.
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Looking ahead, Messi has been careful not to make firm commitments about the next World Cup. As he noted in comments cited by Marca, any decision about participation will depend on his physical condition as the tournament draws closer.
For now, the focus remains unchanged: competing at the highest level, staying healthy, and speaking publicly only when and how he feels most comfortable.
Sources: Marca, LuzuTV
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