Messi rocks Inter Miami and MLS by creating ‘MAJOR problem’

Robin Bairner

• 21 Jul 2023 10:03 CDT
• 4 min read

Lionel Messi is ready to cause MLS a huge headache following his stunning transfer to Inter Miami by refusing to play on artificial surfaces.

The Mirror reports that Messi, who joined Inter Miami on a free transfer from PSG this summer, does not want to play on synthetic grass, with the World Cup winner “unwilling” to take part in competitive action on the surface. The report says this has the potential to cause a “major problem”.

While this has not been a problem in his professional career to date – Barcelona did not have any LaLiga opponents who played on such pitch while there were also no Ligue 1 teams who played on the surface while he was with PSG – it will be more of a problem in MLS, where artificial parks are more commonplace.

Lionel Messi at Inter Miami: Goals, assists, results & fixtures in 2023

There are six franchises in total that play on turf instead of grass: New England Revolution, Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders, Charlotte FC, Vancouver Whitecaps and Atlanta United.

Of these clubs, New England, Charlotte and Atlanta all play in the Eastern Conference, with Inter Miami still having to travel to face the latter two teams before the end of the season.

MORE: When will Lionel Messi make his Inter Miami debut?

While this is clearly a blow for the hopes of David Beckham’s team to reach the playoffs given they sit bottom of the Eastern Conference and will need every available point to make the postseason, it also poses a major commercial headache for MLS, with fans less likely to watch Inter Miami’s fixtures if the greatest player in history is not present.

It is forecast that this season, the Herons’ away fixtures will be sold out, with matches in Atlanta and Charlotte both potentially attracting crowds above 70,000. If Messi refuses to play, though, they are unlikely to boast such impressive attendances.

Messi criticised over Publix supermarket trip

Messi has been criticised by USMNT legend Alexi Lalas for his trip to Publix, which went viral when he was pictured at the supermarket.

Speaking to Fox Soccer, Lalas said: “One of the things that Inter Miami did was - when I say ‘did’ it's because it was absolutely orchestrated - Messi was in his new town and what do you do when you're in a new town? You stock the refrigerator.

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“Lo and behold, he turns up at a Publix. For those who don't know, Publix is a ubiquitous grocery store down in that neck of the woods. And lo and behold, he is seen there with a cart full of stuff that he is going to stock in his refrigerator. It takes a couple of clicks to go to the Inter Miami website and pull up their corporate partners and woah! Amazing! Publix! There it is!

“Brilliant, by the way. Absolutely brilliant. I loved every orchestrated second of it. But this is part of the give-and-take and this is part of what Messi brings to this situation. You better access that and use that at every opportunity you get, with reason. And done the right way you can maximize the presence of Messi both on and off the field.”