Inter Miami star Julian Gressel has revealed what Lionel Messi said to him in English.
Last summer, Messi ditched European football after leaving French side Paris Saint Germain to sign for Major League Soccer outfit Inter Miami, who are partly owned by former England midfielder David Beckham.
Since the Argentine’s arrival, he has been joined by three of his former Barcelona teammates, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez.
Over the years, fans have wondered whether Messi is able to speak English as he has often conducted his interviews in Spanish.
Now, Inter Miami player Gressel has revealed what Messi told him in English.
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Speaking on the PLAYER/MANAGER podcast, he said: “I think it was the first game against Al Hilal and he [Messi] came over to me and said something in English. That was the first time he spoke to me in English.
“Now, we change. You stay and Jordi runs. Jordi goes more in behind.’ I was like okay, sounds good.”
Gressel added: “He goes, ‘English, pretty good no?’ I was like ‘yes, very, very good, I understood everything’.”
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Fellow player Robert Taylor said back in July: “I’m taking Spanish lessons, and he’s taking English lessons.
“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.”
In an interview with journalist Guillem Balague, Messi admitted to learning English. He said, back in 2021 via The Sun: “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.”
Since joining Inter Miami, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi has managed 16 appearances across all competitions, scoring 12 goals in the process.
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Inter Miami will be back in action on Saturday night as they take on Orlando in the MLS at the Chase Stadium.
Topics: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, Football, MLS
Marcus Chan