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Lalas Reveals Why Lionel Messi Risks Losing Major Deals

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emmanuel Mendez | Last updated Oct 31, 2025 10:20 AM ET

Since his arrival in the summer of 2023, Lionel Messi has transformed the MLS and Inter Miami. When Messi joined, it caused a lot of excitement among many American soccer fans.

Messi has helped the MLS grow over the last two years, and he will continue to play in the league for Inter Miami after signing a three-year contract extension.

With Messi staying longer in the league, many assume that the Argentine star is working to help the league grow even bigger than it is now. Despite his work, Messi is advised to make a bigger effort in showing his commitment to the league and Inter Miami.

Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF poses with the MLS Golden Boot Award alongside Don Garber, commissioner of MLS, before the 2025 MLS Cup Playoff match between Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC at Chase Stadium on October 24, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Eston Parker/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

USMNT legend Alexi Lalas spoke on Messi not speaking English, and the former defender thinks that some opportunities were missed because the Inter Miami star does not try to speak the language.

Lionel Messi has never spoken in any interview in English throughout his career and has yet to speak English in public. Lalas thinks that Messi speaking English, even if it's not great, would be very admirable to many fans.

Alexi Lalas on Lionel Messi speaking English

On his podcast, Alexi Lalas' State of the Union Podcast, Lalas spoke about how important it is for Messi to speak English, especially being part of the MLS.

Lalas says that people care that a player makes the effort to speak the language of a country they are in.

Lalas said, "If Messi started talking broken English, people would eat it up. It would be wonderful...I think you're hurting yourself if you don't do that [speak English]. From a business perspective, it can help you. The world speaks English."

Messi recently had an interview with NBC News, but he answered questions in Spanish.

“If Messi started speaking broken English people would eat it up!” @AlexiLalas dives into the topic of Messi not speaking English publicly and whether he’s missing opportunities because of it pic.twitter.com/HaEFTx8bH5
— Alexi Lalas' State of the Union Podcast (@SOTUWithAlexi) October 28, 2025