Lionel Messi's English Skills Examined: A Look into Argentina Star's Language Proficiency Following Inter Miami Transfer

Lionel Messi's arrival at Inter Miami has sparked excitement in the US and MLS. He is expected to improve his English skills while playing in Miami.

Lionel Messi's arrival at Inter Miami in 2023 has sparked a surge of excitement in the United States and the Major League Soccer (MLS) community. After leaving Paris Saint-Germain, Messi chose to embark on a new chapter in his career as the captain of Argentina. Since joining the club, the former Barcelona superstar has seamlessly adapted, participating in numerous matches in July and August and already scoring an impressive number of goals.

While Messi has made a brief appearance at his official unveiling and conducted a few postgame flash interviews in Spanish, he has maintained a relatively low profile. However, fans and the media eagerly await his first formal press conference, hoping to witness him speak a few words in English.

Naturally, Messi's native language is Spanish, and he takes pride in his distinct Rosario accent, despite spending many years in Spain. During his time in Catalonia, he also learned Catalan, as some of his Barcelona teammates spoke it as their first language. Nevertheless, there have been few instances of Messi publicly speaking English. However, rumors suggest that his proficiency in English has improved during his time in France.

In the past, Messi admitted to feeling nervous about answering questions in English, despite taking language lessons since 2020. However, his English has progressed with the help of English-speaking teammates and his wife, Antonella Roccuzzo, who is fluent in the language. One notable example of Messi receiving assistance with English questions occurred during a Ballon d'Or awards ceremony when his old rival Cristiano Ronaldo stepped in.

Although Messi may take gradual steps in answering questions in English in Miami, the presence of English-speaking teammates in the Inter Miami squad may accelerate his language acquisition. On the field, Messi has been exceptional, leading Inter Miami to the semifinals of the 2023 Leagues Cup tournament, which determines the best club team across the USA, Canada, and Mexico. He has displayed his scoring prowess by finding the back of the net in each of his first six games, accumulating a total of nine goals.

Messi has committed to a two-and-a-half-year contract with Inter Miami, ensuring his presence in the USA until the end of the 2025 season. Additionally, there is an option to extend his contract for another 12 months if he desires to participate in the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The details of Messi's contract reveal that it is valued at $125m-$150m (£100m-£120m) in total, translating to approximately $4.1-$5m (£3.3m-£4m) per month, according to reports from the Miami Herald.

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