Lionel Messi’s Opinion On Turf Might Lead To It’s Ban In MLS, NFL Needs To Take Notes
After all, the MLS is an unusual league due to a variety of factors, including its regulations, the time of year and climates in which games are played, and much more. Games on grass are on that list of peculiarities, and Messi will experience them at Inter Miami for the first time in his career.
Lionel Messi’s Opinion On Turf Might Lead To It’s Ban In MLS, NFL Needs To Take Notes
Lionel Messi could be able to emulate past greats by playing on artificial turf in the MLS, according to commissioner Don Garber.
This month, the Argentine legend made history by joining Inter Miami and leaving Europe for the first time in his club career. The 36-year-old is accustomed to playing on grass after excelling in the top divisions of France and Spain, but there is a possibility that he could have to play on artificial turf in MLS.
One of the more interesting things about Lionel Messi's MLS signing is that Commissioner Don Garber expects teams with artificial turf fields to install grass surfaces for upcoming matches against Messi.
Yet NFL players have complained about this for years and still no movement.
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) July 18, 2023
Miami’s remaining 2023 schedule included trips to take on Atlanta United and Charlotte FC, both of whom play on synthetic fields at enormous NFL stadiums. Theoretically, a strong showing in the Leagues Cup may add one or two more games against the other four clubs that play on grass.
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
Not only could Inter Miami give Lionel Messi a $50–60 million salary per year, but they also play on natural grass, which Messi has played on for the most of his playing career. This was a key factor in Messi’s decision to join with Inter Miami. Naturally, his 807 career goals demonstrate that he definitely prefers natural grass and looks forward to competing at Miami’s DVR PNK Stadium, which is entirely made of natural grass.
Currently, 5 of the 29 MLS teams play on artificial turf, but Messi may change that.
MLS commish re: teams using temporary grass pitches for #Messi visits: "There have been no commitments one way or the other… my expectations are that that's what they will do, but there's a lot of work that needs to be done to figure all of that out." https://t.co/t1us2OSF7M
— Empty Seats Galore (@EmptySeatsPics) July 18, 2023
If MLS teams do not seek a permanent switch to the former, grass may very possibly be placed on top of artificial fields in the upcoming months, according to MLS commissioner Garber. When clubs visit stadiums without natural grass, they will decide whether to do so, he said, according to the Athletic.
“My expectations are that that’s what they will do, but there’s a lot of work that needs to be done to figure all of that out. MLS promotes a lot of international games and we have been able to bring natural grass into those stadiums, but we’ve never done that for a regular season game.”
MLS Commissioner Don Garber recently stated that teams playing against Messi's Miami who primarily use turf would be allowed to decide whether to switch to grass or stick with turf but his expectations are that they will. What will Charlotte FC do? https://t.co/5mI1WoInZT
— TopBin90 (@Topbin90) July 18, 2023
Players and fans alike around the league are already praising Commissioner Garber. They praise him for acknowledging at least their safety worries and the overpowering desire to play on actual grass. Roger Goodell, the commissioner of the NFL, completely disagrees with Garber’s perspective.
The NFL has declined to address the turf issue despite repeated requests from the NFLPA. They’ve really done the exact opposite and doubled down, citing research that demonstrate they don’t think there is a noticeably higher injury rate between the two distinct playing grounds.
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