That is the headline shared in the article of the Mirror (UK) today 20-7. The 36-year-old Argentine superstar Lionel Messi can play on the artificial surface in the MLS, with five teams in the last two seasons using this surface. However, an American professional football league commissioner has spoken out to quell the concerns of Lionel Messi and other superstars coming to the US to play football, the Mirror reports.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber has suggested that Lionel Messi could play on artificial turf in the MLS and that it is the next step in the adaptation of the 2022 World Cup champion Argentina in the USA.
World football icon Messi left Europe for the first time in his club career to come to the US to play for Inter Miami. Messi is used to playing on natural grass after appearing in the top leagues of Spain and France, but he will most likely have to play on artificial turf in the MLS.
Inter Miami’s temporary home ground, DRV PNK, has natural grass. Messi will play most of the matches in the US here. However, other clubs in the US such as the Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, Atlanta United, New England Revolution and Charlotte FC all have artificial turf. In addition, four other American teams have a mix of natural and artificial turf.
With Inter Miami’s trips to Atlanta and Charlotte at the MLS Eastern Conference, it’s highly likely that the World Cup winner will have to play on artificial turf surfaces. Now, Mr. Garber reassures Messi by insisting that the clubs are pursuing a move to natural grass in the coming months.
Don Garber told Athletic (UK): “It will be the decision of every club (to remove the artificial grass.) I expect that is what they will do, but there is still a lot of work to be done. let all the clubs do it.. MLS promotes a lot of international matches and we were able to bring natural grass into those stadiums, but we never did that for a regular game. Of the season”.
Don Garber points out that former soccer superstars have played on artificial turf surfaces, despite previous concerns, including Thierry Henry and Kaka. Don Garber said: “I think a lot of international stars come to the MLS and they are either intrigued or worried about not playing on natural turf.
You’ve seen some of the best players ever play, world superstars like Thierry Henry and Kaka have played on artificial turf. So I think the process of change will take place over time.”
Back in 2017, former England captain David Beckham spoke out on the subject. Speaking to Canada’s Globe and Mail, Beckham said he was not an advocate of playing on artificial surfaces. Beckham, then a LA Galaxy player, explained that the artificial turf surface would not be suitable for players like him.
David Beckham said: “As a professional athlete, you can’t play a football match on that type of field. It will damage your body. You will feel tired for three days after that. . Every match, without a doubt, the team should be on natural grass. You cannot ask any athlete to perform at a high level on artificial turf.”
Despite David Beckham’s comments years ago and his views on the subject, some teams in the MLS are still using artificial turf. And for that, Lionel Messi will need to adapt to do well in the MLS.
