Lionel Messi speaks English for the first time in public

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and current Inter Miami star, Lionel Messi has surprised fans by speaking English in a new promotional video for the upcoming ‘Bad Boys’ film.

Lionel Messi joined Hollywood actors Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in the promotion, marking one of the few times the Argentine has publicly spoken English.

Messi, who signed a multi-million dollar contract with Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami last summer, has previously appeared in various commercials. His global appeal was showcased in a recent Super Bowl commercial alongside “Ted Lasso” star Jason Sudeikis and NFL legend Dan Marino.

In the promotional video for ‘Bad Boys’, set to be released on June 7, 2024, Messi pays a visit to Smith and Lawrence, creating a moment that has captivated fans worldwide. The video, which lasts 1:36, quickly spread across social media, where fans expressed their surprise and excitement.

One fan commented, “This is the first time in my life I’ve heard Messi speak English,” while another remarked, “This America PR will be the best thing he gains for going to the US.”

A third fan highlighted Messi’s growing influence in Hollywood, saying,

“He is doing Hollywood commercials? Dude already owns Miami. Do you understand how big this is? They came to him to promote their movie. A soccer player. Hollywood. He is a true champion.”

Others praised Messi’s decision to join MLS, with one saying, “Messi going to the MLS might be one of the best decisions he made,” and another humorously adding, “They should give Messi the Oscar already.”

While this may be one of the few times Messi has spoken English publicly, his Inter Miami teammate Julian Gressel has experienced it firsthand. Gressel shared an anecdote on his Player Manager podcast about Messi speaking to him in fluent English during a game against Al Hilal.

Gressel recounted,

“Between me and Leo we’ve had this running joke a little bit ever since the first few days. I asked him if he speaks any English and he was like ‘no, not really, your Spanish is probably better than my English.’ There was one moment in Saudi, maybe the first game, against Al Hilal, and he came over to me and spoke to me in English.”

Gressel described the moment during the game when Messi covered his mouth to avoid cameras and instructed, “now, we change. You stay and Jordi (Alba) runs, Jordi goes more in behind.”

Gressel responded affirmatively, impressed by Messi’s English proficiency. After the game, Messi humorously remarked, “English, pretty good, no?” to which Gressel responded, “Yes, very very good! I understood everything!”