![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/mls-chief-responds-to-lionel-messi-artificial-turf-fears-with-david-beckham-feelings-clear/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/0_GettyImages-1549708145jpg-have.jpg&description=The 36-year-old could play on an artificial surface in MLS, with five teams across the league's two conferences currently using synthetic grass but the commissioner has moved to quell concerns MLS commissioner Don Garber has suggested that Lionel Messi could play on artificial turf in MLS and follow in the footsteps of former superstars in the process. The Argentine icon departed Europe for the first time in his club career to join Inter Miami this month, with his transfer to America a landmark moment. The 36-year-old is used to playing on grass after starring in Spain and France's top leagues, but there is a possibility that he could have to play on artificial turf in MLS. Although a grass surface is in place at the Herons' temporary home at DRV PNK Stadium - where the forward will play the majority of his games - Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, Atlanta United, New England Revolution and Charlotte FC all have artificial surfaces. In addition to this, four more teams have hybrid surfaces that combine grass with reinforced roots along with synthetic fibres. With away trips to Atlanta and Charlotte still to come in the MLS Eastern Conference for Vice City, it is very much a possibility that the World Cup winner would have to play on these surfaces. MLS chief Garber has said that grass could well be installed on top of artificial surfaces in the coming months, if a permanent transition to the former is not pursued by MLS clubs. He told the Athletic: "That's going to be the decision of every club when they do travel to those stadiums that don't have natural grass. "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." He did point out that former stars of the game have, indeed, played on artificial surfaces in spite of prior concerns, i){kind=link}
The 36-year-old could play on an artificial surface in MLS, with five teams across the league’s two conferences currently using synthetic grass but the commissioner has moved to quell concerns
MLS commissioner Don Garber has suggested that Lionel Messi could play on artificial turf in MLS and follow in the footsteps of former superstars in the process.
The Argentine icon departed Europe for the first time in his club career to join Inter Miami this month, with his transfer to America a landmark moment. The 36-year-old is used to playing on grass after starring in Spain and France’s top leagues, but there is a possibility that he could have to play on artificial turf in MLS.
Although a grass surface is in place at the Herons’ temporary home at DRV PNK Stadium – where the forward will play the majority of his games – Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, Atlanta United, New England Revolution and Charlotte FC all have artificial surfaces. In addition to this, four more teams have hybrid surfaces that combine grass with reinforced roots along with synthetic fibres.
With away trips to Atlanta and Charlotte still to come in the MLS Eastern Conference for Vice City, it is very much a possibility that the World Cup winner would have to play on these surfaces.