The reason Messi didn't go to university.

Despite receiving full financial support from Barcelona for his education, Messi decided to abandon his university studies to focus on his sports career.

Messi only completed high school and did not attend university. Photo: Reuters .

When mentioning Lionel Messi, fans usually remember the World Cup champion, the owner of the most Ballon d'Or awards in history, or one of the greatest players of all time. However, few people know that the Argentine superstar's educational journey was quite short and different from that of most other celebrities.

Not going to university

Messi was born in 1987 in Rosario, Argentina. From a young age, he attended General Las Heras Elementary School and played football for the Newell's Old Boys youth team. Those who taught Messi described him as a quiet, reserved student who was serious and responsible.

Maria Soler, who taught Messi in elementary school, recalls that young Leo always completed his homework despite frequently attending training sessions and weekend matches. In class, Messi didn't excel academically or in extracurricular activities, but he was highly regarded for his discipline and focus.

A major turning point came when Messi was 10 years old. He was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency – a condition that could severely impact his physical development and future in football. The treatment costs at the time amounted to nearly $1,000 per month, exceeding his family's financial capabilities.

When Messi's dream of playing football was in danger of ending, Barcelona appeared with an offer that could change his life. The Spanish club agreed to finance his treatment and send him to Europe to train at their La Masia academy.

At the age of 13, Messi and his family left Rosario to start a new life in Barcelona. Moving to a foreign country was not easy for the Argentinian teenager. Messi barely knew Catalan, had to adapt to a new environment, and simultaneously pursue professional football training.

In addition to training at La Masia, Messi was also enrolled at the Leon XIII school in Sarrià-Sant Gervasi. This school is affiliated with Barcelona's youth training system, providing players with the opportunity to both pursue their academic studies and develop their sporting careers.

However, balancing academics and football became increasingly difficult. Long training sessions, a packed match schedule, and medical treatments meant Messi was frequently absent from class. On numerous occasions, his studies were relegated to second priority after football.

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Nevertheless, thanks to the tutoring system and academic support program arranged by Barcelona, ​​Messi still completed his high school education. He received his diploma at the age of 17 – the time when his exceptional talent for the Catalan team had reached its peak.

Graduating from high school also marked the end of Messi's formal education . He didn't go on to university like many of his peers. Instead, Messi's life took a completely different turn when he was promoted to the Barcelona first team and began his professional career.

For many people, giving up their education to pursue their passion is a risky decision. But for Messi, it was almost the only option, given how quickly his football talent developed.

Messi has repeatedly regretted not investing in learning English. Photo: Reuters .

I regret not learning English.

Despite becoming one of the most successful athletes in history, Messi admits to having regrets related to his education.

In a conversation on the Miro de Atras podcast, the Argentina captain said his biggest regret is not learning English when he was younger.

"I regret many things. Not learning English when I was a child is one of them. I had the time to learn English, but I didn't. I really regret that," Messi shared.

The male player further shared that throughout his peak playing career, he had many opportunities to meet famous and influential figures around the world. However, the language barrier prevented him from conversing as comfortably as he would have liked.

"I've had situations where I met amazing, exceptional people, had the chance to talk to them, but felt a little inadequate. I always thought about how I had wasted my time," Messi said.

The football star admitted that he was luckier than many people because he always had the support of his family, tutors, and Barcelona during his studies. Thanks to that, he was able to complete his high school program despite his very busy schedule.

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Those experiences also made Messi place a special emphasis on education for the next generation. He said he always reminds his children about the importance of learning and preparing themselves for the future.

"When you're young, you don't realize it. Now, I always tell my children about the importance of getting a good education, learning, and preparing for the future. I always tell them to take advantage of it," he said.

Currently, Messi's three sons all attend Miami Country Day School, a prestigious private school in the US, and are also participating in the Inter Miami youth program. The GOAT of football always believes that education and sports should not be opposing choices, but rather go hand in hand to help children develop holistically.

Source: https://znews.vn/ly-do-messi-khong-vao-dai-hoc-post1660989.html