Lionel Messi is undoubtedly the first player on Inter Miami’s team sheet, but it seems that the Argentine may miss some of the MLS side’s games due to his reluctance to play on artificial surfaces.
His move to Inter Miami has already inspired other big-name stars from Europe to follow suit, with former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba already joining him at the club. There have also been links to other Barcelona legends like Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta potentially making the move to Inter Miami.
Lionel Messi does NOT play on on artificial turf, and Atlanta United, one of five Major League Soccer clubs that plays on synthetic grass, has no plans to install a natural-grass pitch when the Argentine star comes to Mercedes-Benz Stadium https://t.co/N7uu4IlUxa
— Sportico (@Sportico) July 20, 2023
However, despite the excitement of many MLS fans to see the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner in action, a significant portion of them might be disappointed due to a recurring issue. According to the Mirror, Messi reportedly refuses to play on artificial surfaces, which six MLS teams currently use.
Luis Suarez has agreed with Gremio to terminate his contract in December 2023; despite deal expiring in December 2024. 👋🏻🇧🇷
👚🇺🇸 Inter Miami remain interested in signing Suarez as free agent for 2024, after deal collapsed this summer. pic.twitter.com/uwcqt1Mvu8
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 30, 2023
Teams like New England Revolution, Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders, Charlotte FC, Atlanta United, and the Vancouver Whitecaps all have artificial surfaces in their stadiums. This means that if Inter Miami has to play away games against Charlotte and Atlanta this season, Messi may be unavailable for those fixtures.
The absence of Messi in these matches would not only be a blow to Inter Miami’s hopes of advancing to the next round but also a significant commercial setback. With Charlotte and Atlanta boasting huge stadiums, the potential revenue and attention generated by having Messi on the field would be substantial.
MLS Chief Don Garber understands David Beckham’s and Lionel Messi’s concerns about artificial turf
Lionel Messi’s resistance to playing on synthetic surfaces is probably due to a number of factors. Natural grass provides a playing surface that is softer and more forgiving, which is essential for his intricate dribbling and quick changes of direction. Concerns about the risk of injury may also influence the decision, as artificial turf is known to increase the likelihood of certain injuries.
MLS Chief Garber expressed his expectations that clubs would opt for installing real grass when they travel to stadiums with artificial surfaces. However, he acknowledged that making this transition feasible would require significant work to iron out the logistics.
No-one should be playing on artificial turf…
NO-ONE AT ALL.
.
— BAN ARTIFICIAL GRASS, 3G ⚽️ PITCHES, RUBBER CRUMB (@Against_3G) July 25, 2023
David Beckham, former England captain and one of the most iconic figures in MLS history, has previously voiced concerns about playing on artificial surfaces. In 2007, Beckham spoke out against FieldTurf, a popular artificial turf used in MLS stadiums.
The Inter Miami co-owner highlighted that the surface is unsuitable for high-level athletes like soccer players, as it can take a toll on their bodies and significantly impact their recovery time. Beckham’s stance on the matter aligns with Messi’s current sentiments.
The question of whether Messi will be available for all matches, particularly those played on artificial turf, remains a topic of interest for fans and the league. Inter Miami might have to carefully manage Messi’s participation to ensure his long-term fitness and top-level performance.