Inter Miami star Lionel Messi elaborated his reluctance to speak in English despite being understood whenever he communicates in the language. The Argentine icon has been in the US - a predominantly English-speaking country since 2023.
Lionel Messi clears his stance on not speaking English
Messi is one of the most famous athletes on the planet and widely considered as one of the best players ever to play the game. A Barcelona legend, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner arrived on US shores, joining Inter Miami on a free transfer and has been there since then.
The Inter Miami skipper usually likes communicating in Spanish, his native language, and it looks like he has some degree of proficiency in English but that he doesn't prefer communicating in the language.
"I feel strange when speaking," Messi said (as per MC). "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."
Having spent his early years in Argentina - a Spanish-speaking country - Messi moved to Barcelona, Spain, another Spanish-speaking country.
After playing for 17 years at the club, the Argentine played two seasons for Paris Saint-Germain before joining Inter Miami in 2023.
Lionel Messi linked with surprising Liverpool move
Lionel Messi is contracted with his current club, Inter Miami, till the end of the 2028 season, having penned a new deal just three months earlier. With the new MLS season yet to start, the Argentine icon has been linked with a surprising move to Liverpool.
As per LatestLY, the eight-times Ballon d'Or winner could join the Reds on a short-term loan deal (four-five weeks) ahead of the beginning of the start of the new MLS season. It is interesting to note that the upcoming FIFA World Cup will take place in the United States, Mexico and Canada this summer, where Argentina will aim to defend their title.
Lionel Messi's red hot form in MLS
Messi is coming off an amazing season with the Herons, amassing 43 goals and 25 assists, winning the MLS Cup and reaching their second Leagues Cup final in three years, losing 3-0 to Seattle Sounders.