Lionel Messi has debunked speculation that he could refuse to play on artificial surfaces in the MLS.
One of the best players of all time insists he has no problem with playing on astroturf.
The 36-year-old World Cup winner now plays for Inter Miami in the United States after his summer move from Paris Saint-Germain. He's enjoyed a thrilling start to life at David Beckham's side, scoring nine goals and notching one assist in six games.
Widely regarded as the best on the planet, he's been accustomed to playing on some of the best playing surfaces around the globe with Argentina, Barcelona, and PSG.
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
However, now he's plying his trade in the MLS, Messi will need to reacquaint himself with plastic pitches. Six teams in America's top division have artificial surfaces, with many more in the USL Championship and further down the league structure.
Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, Atlanta United, New England Revolution, Charlotte FC, and Vancouver Whitecaps all play on astro. Inter will face Atlanta on September 16 and another in Charlotte on October 21.
There were fears that Messi could opt not to play in these games. But the player himself has dismissed any rumours, revealing he spent his younger days playing on such pitches.
"On the topic of artificial turf, the truth is my youth was spent on artificial turf, my whole life was on that pitch," he admitted to the media. "Truth is it's been a while since I've played on artificial turf, but I have no problem adapting myself again."
Whether Messi's quotes could open up a potential future move to either Kilmarnock or Livingston remains to be seen.
Of course, both Premiership teams have artificial surfaces and are the only two sides in Scotland's top flight not to utilise real grass pitches.
Their respective pitches at Rugby Park and the Tony Macaroni Stadium often come in for criticism from opposition players, managers, and fans. The claims usually range from players picking up niggling injuries to the quality of football being diminished because of the surface. Pundits and commentators often trot out the line that they've 'never seen a good game of football' on the plastic surfaces.
But it seems that artificial pitches are accepted by arguably the greatest to ever play the game.
