By all accounts, Lionel Messi’s move to MLS has already been a tremendous success. Since joining Inter Miami nearly four weeks ago, he’s helped turn a last-place club into a Leagues Cup finalist. But as the actual MLS season is still ahead for Messi, one looming question remained:
Will he play on artificial turf?
Throughout Messi’s entire professional soccer career, he had never played on artificial turf for neither club nor country. It’s not a thing in La Liga, Ligue 1 or any of the European stadiums he’s played Champions League matches in. MLS, however, is a different story with six stadiums using artificial playing surfaces.
Just before Messi’s Inter Miami debut, The Mirror (a British tabloid) reported that Messi would not play on artificial turf, putting his availability for scheduled away matches at Atlanta and Charlotte in doubt. On Thursday, Messi finally spoke about that rumor, and it was good news for ticket brokers in Atlanta and Charlotte.
Leo Messi has no problem with playing on turf. 👀
Atlanta StubHub about to blow up. 📲 pic.twitter.com/b4ZKjXJbc3
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) August 17, 2023
Speaking in Spanish, Messi told reporters that he had played on synthetic surfaces during his youth days. And though he hadn’t played as an adult professional on turf, he’d be willing to adapt.
Now, Messi’s willingness to play on artificial turf is huge news for MLS as it didn’t suit the league to have a global superstar skip out on trips to six cities.
But the injury risk on turf and the stress turf puts on an athlete’s body might be enough to have Tata Martino decide to rest Messi for those matches. Charlotte and Atlanta, for example, had already said that they had no plans to install natural grass at their stadiums for Messi. So, the decision will remain with Messi and Inter Miami about his availability for the Sept. 16 and Oct. 21 matches.
MLS fans were still thrilled to hear that Messi is willing to play on turf.
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This was how Twitter reacted
Since folks have shared incorrect assumptions as facts, here's Messi on turf… https://t.co/UCaNQqZJKB
— Jason Longshore (@Longshoe) August 17, 2023
Oh no what about everyone's favorite urban legend that Messi absolutely refuses to play on turf?! https://t.co/CfGkCx5t31
— Brandon (@schecska) August 17, 2023
Lionel Messi speaking on the turf issue himself. Saying he doesn’t have a problem with it. Good news all around for Charlotte FC which had no plans to install artificial grass for Messi and Inter Miami on Oct 21. @CltLedger https://t.co/YxVeyKJ5s0
— Carroll R. Walton (@CarrollRogers) August 17, 2023
Even Messi doesn’t mind a plastic pitch. Everyone else’s complaints about it is now invalid. He has spoken. https://t.co/NIKoYQ3TVz
— 🏴 (@LiviNation) August 17, 2023
Well there you have it: Looks like he's playing at the Stankonia Dome in September, then 👀 https://t.co/e1Jm4DWGVV
— local bIogger (@fergoe) August 17, 2023
The goat has spoken.
Plastic fantastic. 😮💨 https://t.co/ERTqdakqbX— Calum Brown (@Calum_Brown99) August 17, 2023
For everyone pretending they knew that Messi wouldn't play on turf. https://t.co/QVn21SXsto
— J Kulani Prescott (@JKulani) August 17, 2023
Well Whitecaps fans just got a little excited didn’t they? https://t.co/i47dG0IS2B
— Blake Price (@justBlakePrice) August 17, 2023
This is the most interesting thing that came out of the press conference…possibly putting an end to some of the rumors that he wouldn't play on synthetic fields.. https://t.co/BcCIMaTPru
— Facundo Tassara ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Facundo_Tassara) August 17, 2023
Happy to confirm that Lionel Messi is not whinier then the over 40 dudes I play against every week in regards to playing on turf https://t.co/ZEGOIUJPtu
— ¯_(MIKE)_/¯ (@ThoughtMarker) August 17, 2023
Didn’t expect that, fair play to Messi https://t.co/gv27nY000g
— Newman (@helloo_newman) August 17, 2023
I $helled out to see him in Atlanta so to hear him say this is……….a SMALL relief let's just say https://t.co/66iSlZdUKm
— lankyframpard.bsky.social (@lankyframpard) August 17, 2023
