Atlanta United’s artificial surface not an issue for Messi
The Mercedes Benz Stadium, home to the ‘5 Stripes’ is one of the six MLS grounds with an artificial playing surface.
Six MLS stadiums feature artificial turf: Seattle Sounders’ Lumen Field, Vancouver Whitecaps’ BC Place, Portland Timbers’ Providence Park, NE Revolutions’ Gillette Stadium, Charlotte FC’s Bank of America along with Atlanta United’s Mercedes Benz Stadium.
It’s precisely the home to the 5 Stripes and NFL side the Atlanta Falcons that will the focal point for the world’s sporting media on Saturday evening as Leo Messi and his Inter Miami side are the visitors in the Gate City.
Astro turf issue for Messi?
Shortly after moving to the South Florida side there was some speculation that Messi would avoid playing games for the Herons on road trips to grounds with artificial surfaces which are known to be less forgiving on joints and knees and also reported to be a greater source of muscular injuries.
The Argentine dismissed this claim in an early press conference stating: “The truth is my youth was spent on artificial turf, my whole life was on that pitch,” he said. “It’s been a while since I’ve played on artificial turf, but I have no problem adapting myself again.”
Messi is currently on international duty with Argentina but his Inter Miami side managed to win without the mercurial Argentine at the weekend as they recorded a 3-2 home win over Sporting KC to maintain their 12 game unbeaten run and seal three valuable points in their quest to secure a post season berth.