What are Lionel Messi’s English skills like? Inter Miami team-mate Julian Gressel reveals first conversation with Argentine superstar during clash against Al-Hilal

Gressel has revealed that Messi has begun speaking to his team-mates in English, instead of his native Spanish, and has been impressed with his command of a new language. He revealed that the Argentina captain made sure to pass on tactical advice to Gressel, in English, during their 4-3 friendly defeat to Al-Hilal.

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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’.”

The 2024/25 MLS season is now underway and Inter Miami have taken four points from their opening two games. Messi and Co beat Real Salt Lake 2-0 and were held to a 1-1 draw by LA Galaxy.

Inter Miami are next in action on Saturday against Orlando City. They will then face Nashville in the CONCACAF Champions Cup next week.