Lionel Messi denied pitch change by MLS team ahead of Inter Miami fixture

28 July 2023 , 17:14

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Lionel Messi might have to play on artificial turf in some MLS games (Image: Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

One MLS club is standing firm on the issue of whether grass will be installed at their stadium despite superstar Lionel Messi's apparent reluctance to play on artificial turf.

With six teams in the leading US league to currently play on a synthetic surface, it had been mooted by MLS chief Don Garber previously that teams could potentially make adjustments ahead of the Argentine icon's arrival. Before the end of the season, Inter Miami are also due to play on turf at two venues in the Eastern Conference.

However, it appears that the powers-that-be at Charlotte FC are resisting any calls for grass to be installed at the Bank of America Stadium, with a spokesperson for the club confirming the decision to The Charlotte Observer. In an email, representatives for the North Carolina outfit denied that any changes would be made prior to the October 21 match.

Despite grass having temporarily been installed previously for an exhibition match versus Premier League giants Chelsea, as well as two USMNT clashes, the Crown chiefs' stance remains unmoved on the issue. They said: "All of our Major League Soccer matches are scheduled to be played on turf. There is no plan to change to natural grass."

League commissioner Don Garber has previously addressed the subject, telling the Athletic that he expected clubs to potentially make some adjustments to allow for the megastar's demands. He stated: "That’s going to be the decision of every club when they do travel to those stadiums that don’t have natural grass.

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"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."

Before the end of the season, the Herons will also travel to face Atlanta United at their Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 16, which also has an artificial surface installed. Prior to the MLS All-Stars game against Arsenal earlier this month, Atlanta president and CEO Garth Lagerwey also seemingly refused to budge on the issue.

Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber has previously addressed the subject of artificial pitches

Bringing up the fact that current Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino used to manage his club, he seemed to dismiss suggestions that artificial surfaces are unsafe, saying: "You can ask [Martino], he is familiar with the quality of our turf. He can explain to his players how good and safe it is to play at our stadium."

Of course, this is not the first time this issue has reared its head, with stars such as David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimovic having questioned the safety of artificial turf for professionals at the elite level. Although both superstars did appear on turf during their time in MLS, both did raise concerns during their time stateside.

MLS commissioner Garber has previously conceded that other household names from the sport have eventually relented on their concerns, with Thierry Henry and Kaka among those who have played on synthetic turf. He added: "I think a lot of international stars come into Major League Soccer and they are either intrigued or concerned about not playing on grass.

Tom Beattie