LIONEL MESSI is one of the most famous football players in the world - and has embarked on a new adventure in 2023.
The sports legend, who grew up in Argentina, has played for various clubs across Europe and has now headed over to the US.
Does Lionel Messi speak English?
Lionel Messi signed for US side Inter Miami in June 2023.
However the Argentinian ace does not speak English.
According to an interview with journalist Guillem Balague, the football legend began taking language lessons in 2020.
Messi is able to understand English but cannot yet speak it fluently.
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He said in 2021: "I've been learning English for a year and a half but when you're there in England, you get to learn it through necessity.
"I understand it, but I don't speak it."
Messi's wife Antonela Roccuzzo speaks English, as do many of his new teammates at Inter Miami.
One of Inter Miami's players, Robert Taylor, revealed in 2023 that Messi is continuing with his English lessons.
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He explained to Sky Sports how the pair are able to communicate on the field.
He said: "I'm taking Spanish lessons and he's taking English lessons.
"Still, the conversation level isn't great, but, on the field, it's different."
Taylor added: "I feel like football is a language where if you link up with someone, you don't necessarily have to speak the same language - you just play well together.
"I've heard him say a couple things in English to me and couple of players around him, so I think he speaks pretty good English."
What languages can Lionel Messi speak?
Argentinian Messi speaks Spanish, the native language of his homeland.
Messia grew up in the city of Rosario, in the Argentinian province of Santa Fe.
Following his time with Barcelona football club he also speaks Catalan, the native language of the region of Catalonia.
Catalan is recognised as a separate language from Spanish.
What teams has Lionel Messi played for?
Messi played for Barcelona from 2003 until 2021.
He began his career with the team's youth academy in 2000 and was fast-tracked to the senior team in just four years.
During his time with the Catalan club, Messi won ten La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey titles and the Uefa Champions League four times.
He then moved on to French club Paris St-Germain, making his debut in August 2021.
The star confirmed a move to Inter Miami in June 2023.
Messia has also represented Argentina internationally, earning 175 caps and scoring 103 times as of August 2023.
He won the World Cup in 2022 as well as a gold medal at the Olympic Games in 2008.
What is Lionel Messi's net worth?
Messi's net worth at the start of 2023 was estimated to be £105million, according to Forbes, though this will have increased following his move to Inter Miami.
His total contract at the club, co-owned by Jorge Mas, Jose Mas and David Beckham, is valued between $125m and $150m.
It was previously reported in Spanish press that Messi will earn between $50-$60million per year with Inter Miami, equating to around £35-£47million.
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Following basketball star LeBron James in second place and Cristiano Ronaldo in first, Messi is the third-highest paid overall sportsman in the world.
The star has a range of sponsorship and brand deals that contribute to his eye-watering fortune, including contracts with Adidas, Pepsi, and Louis Vuitton.
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