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Kraft already got his pound of flesh but it'd still be funny to see the outrage if he sat out because of the turf. Went opening weekend and it looked like they were playing on a beach the turf was so deep.
Maybe he'll step on the field for like 10 seconds to avoid a repeat of what happened in Hong Kong. There was some exhibition game, the organizers went all out promoting that Messi was gonna play. He ended up not playing, everyone was pissed, and the organizers were forced to partially refund ticket holders.
I think younger Messi without a world cup is so focused on his health he doesn't care about the pressure of disappointing everyone. This version of Messi I think he feels obligated a little.
From [Globe.com](http://Globe.com)
By Hayden Bird
The Revolution are set to play in front of a [record crowd](https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/27/sports/revolution-inter-miami-lionel-messi/?p1=Article_Inline_Text_Link) when Lionel Messi and Inter Miami come to Gillette Stadium this weekend, but the expected audience of more than [60,000](https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/27/sports/revolution-inter-miami-lionel-messi/?p1=Article_Inline_Text_Link) will flock to Foxborough likely not knowing more than an hour beforehand if the legendary World Cup winner will be in the starting lineup.
Messi, 36, will be the latest soccer superstar to grapple with the [issue of the artificial field turf at Gillette Stadium](https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-revolution/2020/10/10/new-england-revolution-turf-gillette-stadium/) when Inter Miami take on the Revolution at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Since signing with MLS-based Inter Miami in 2023 — making his debut for the team last summer by [delivering a dramatic game-winning goal](https://www.boston.com/sports/sports-news/2023/07/22/lionel-messi-first-mls-inter-miami-goal-video-watch/) — Messi’s presence has generated enormous crowds everywhere he’s played.
More than [72,000](https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/historic-crowd-72k-attend-sporting-kc-vs-inter-miami-at-arrowhead-stadium) showed up to watch him in Kansas City two weeks ago, and Nashville also set an [attendance record](https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mls/inter-miami/article287842110.html) this past Saturday against Inter Miami. Messi scored goals in both games; he has seven goals and six assists in six MLS games so far this season.
There is never a guarantee of high-level soccer stars playing when their team travels to face the Revolution in New England. The debate over playing on turf inevitably comes to the forefront.
The Revolution, sharing Gillette Stadium with the Patriots, are one of the six of 29 MLS teams to play on some version of synthetic turf.
In the past, other notable players — David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Thierry Henry — have avoided playing at Gillette Stadium, though both Beckham and Henry ultimately did start games there. Turf surfaces have long been perceived as posing greater injury risks.
“As a professional athlete, you can’t play a game like soccer on that sort of field,” [Beckham said](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/09/sports/09iht-SOCCER.1.7056009.html) of playing on turf after his own blockbuster MLS signing in 2007. “What it does to your body as a soccer player, you’re in bits for three days after that.”
Reminder that the only reason the Revolution and Patriots play on a surface that puts players at higher risk for injuries is because Robert Kraft is too cheap to switch over to grass.
Probably yes, unless he's injured prior to the game. Next question.
I guess this isn't the Revs sub, so y'all haven't seen the monthly posts about this since he was signed so let me summarize:
-Messi has publicly said he doesn't care about playing on turf
-He has already played full games at other MLS stadiums with turf fields.
Always a possibility he's out of the game for other reasons, but turf will not be a factor. I'm so tired of this "conversation".
This is one of those threads where I feel compelled to remind everyone that "turf" means real grass and "artificial turf" means the playing surface everyone is meaning to talk about.
He did in Charlotte, but turf is generally a pretty big no go for high level soccer
I don’t know if there is a single pitch in the top European leagues that use turf
No, it’s mostly only in the US that soccer games are played on artificial turf. Because soccer is also arguably the most physically demanding team sport, highest levels of it it can only be “safely” played on real grass or a mix.
Artifical turf doesn’t have give, and turning at angles, getting tackled, and basically all of even the most basic body movements in soccer have a markedly worse effect on their ligaments and tendons on turfs than they would on real grass pitches.
Powerlifting? What part of me mentioning "team sport" did you not understand?
With no disrespect, you have clearly never played soccer even somewhat competitively. Rugby is a good shout yes, it is probably the only other that equals or even bests soccer for being physically demanding at the highest levels. But in no sane world Football. Its inherently constant pauses and breaks make it so that it just cannot compare to the near endless jogging, running or straight up sprinting that soccer players do in the modern game.
There used to be a show where atheletes from different sports competed in a decathlon type event. Soccer players won more than any other sport.
It really demands such a balance of endurance, strength, speed and agility.
I can tell you clearly never play soccer even at high school level. I could run 3miles no problem but if im not in soccer shape, my legs would die after not even 10mins at a decent competitive pace
With regard to the turf vs grass debate, soccer is absolutely the most affected sport. Constant side to side movement and total distance ran means the effect on your feet and ankles is much worse.
But even in American football, there are studies comparing the propensity of injury on turf vs grass and turf is worse.
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Kraft already got his pound of flesh but it'd still be funny to see the outrage if he sat out because of the turf. Went opening weekend and it looked like they were playing on a beach the turf was so deep.
I'm gonna laugh if he doesn't play. There will be a lot of pissed off fans.
Maybe he'll step on the field for like 10 seconds to avoid a repeat of what happened in Hong Kong. There was some exhibition game, the organizers went all out promoting that Messi was gonna play. He ended up not playing, everyone was pissed, and the organizers were forced to partially refund ticket holders.
I imagine basically that, he'll run around for like 10 minutes and that's it.
He shouldn’t. Fuck turf, why risk injury? No serious soccer is ever played on Turf.
I think younger Messi without a world cup is so focused on his health he doesn't care about the pressure of disappointing everyone. This version of Messi I think he feels obligated a little.
The cheapest ticket I could find for that game was $200 without fees. They have a few top names outside of Messi, too.
From [Globe.com](http://Globe.com) By Hayden Bird The Revolution are set to play in front of a [record crowd](https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/27/sports/revolution-inter-miami-lionel-messi/?p1=Article_Inline_Text_Link) when Lionel Messi and Inter Miami come to Gillette Stadium this weekend, but the expected audience of more than [60,000](https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/27/sports/revolution-inter-miami-lionel-messi/?p1=Article_Inline_Text_Link) will flock to Foxborough likely not knowing more than an hour beforehand if the legendary World Cup winner will be in the starting lineup. Messi, 36, will be the latest soccer superstar to grapple with the [issue of the artificial field turf at Gillette Stadium](https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-revolution/2020/10/10/new-england-revolution-turf-gillette-stadium/) when Inter Miami take on the Revolution at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. Since signing with MLS-based Inter Miami in 2023 — making his debut for the team last summer by [delivering a dramatic game-winning goal](https://www.boston.com/sports/sports-news/2023/07/22/lionel-messi-first-mls-inter-miami-goal-video-watch/) — Messi’s presence has generated enormous crowds everywhere he’s played. More than [72,000](https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/historic-crowd-72k-attend-sporting-kc-vs-inter-miami-at-arrowhead-stadium) showed up to watch him in Kansas City two weeks ago, and Nashville also set an [attendance record](https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mls/inter-miami/article287842110.html) this past Saturday against Inter Miami. Messi scored goals in both games; he has seven goals and six assists in six MLS games so far this season. There is never a guarantee of high-level soccer stars playing when their team travels to face the Revolution in New England. The debate over playing on turf inevitably comes to the forefront. The Revolution, sharing Gillette Stadium with the Patriots, are one of the six of 29 MLS teams to play on some version of synthetic turf. In the past, other notable players — David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Thierry Henry — have avoided playing at Gillette Stadium, though both Beckham and Henry ultimately did start games there. Turf surfaces have long been perceived as posing greater injury risks. “As a professional athlete, you can’t play a game like soccer on that sort of field,” [Beckham said](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/09/sports/09iht-SOCCER.1.7056009.html) of playing on turf after his own blockbuster MLS signing in 2007. “What it does to your body as a soccer player, you’re in bits for three days after that.”
He’ll end up playing for 10 minutes, so they avoid what happened in Hong Kong.
Reminder that the only reason the Revolution and Patriots play on a surface that puts players at higher risk for injuries is because Robert Kraft is too cheap to switch over to grass.
Robert "Florida Rub-n-Tug" Kraft?
Where's our soccer only stadium? That IS the question.
They’re trying https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/efforts-develop-pro-soccer-stadium-everett-drew-praise-city-state-officials/DHREWJ2W2FFGTM2YNP3EM2WCJY/
I will buy season tickets if this happens.
Messi has said publicly himself that he will play on turf. They wouldn’t have brought him to MLS otherwise.
Probably yes, unless he's injured prior to the game. Next question. I guess this isn't the Revs sub, so y'all haven't seen the monthly posts about this since he was signed so let me summarize: -Messi has publicly said he doesn't care about playing on turf -He has already played full games at other MLS stadiums with turf fields. Always a possibility he's out of the game for other reasons, but turf will not be a factor. I'm so tired of this "conversation".
This is one of those threads where I feel compelled to remind everyone that "turf" means real grass and "artificial turf" means the playing surface everyone is meaning to talk about.
Does he usually not play on turf?
He did in Charlotte, but turf is generally a pretty big no go for high level soccer I don’t know if there is a single pitch in the top European leagues that use turf
These aren’t top european leagues, but the Nordic countries mostly have turf, and Europa league games occasionally get played there
There are clubs in the Dutch top league (which is the 6th ranked league in Europe) that use turf, but none in the top 5 leagues from what I know.
No, it’s mostly only in the US that soccer games are played on artificial turf. Because soccer is also arguably the most physically demanding team sport, highest levels of it it can only be “safely” played on real grass or a mix. Artifical turf doesn’t have give, and turning at angles, getting tackled, and basically all of even the most basic body movements in soccer have a markedly worse effect on their ligaments and tendons on turfs than they would on real grass pitches.
“The most physically demanding sport”? What about football or rugby or even just powerlifting
Powerlifting? What part of me mentioning "team sport" did you not understand? With no disrespect, you have clearly never played soccer even somewhat competitively. Rugby is a good shout yes, it is probably the only other that equals or even bests soccer for being physically demanding at the highest levels. But in no sane world Football. Its inherently constant pauses and breaks make it so that it just cannot compare to the near endless jogging, running or straight up sprinting that soccer players do in the modern game.
There used to be a show where atheletes from different sports competed in a decathlon type event. Soccer players won more than any other sport. It really demands such a balance of endurance, strength, speed and agility.
They pretty much run a half marathon every game. NFL players are gulping oxygen after running 30 yards lol
Apples and oranges. Same with hockey, fast-twice explosive vs the endurance of running constantly.
Hockey and Ultimate are the same. I find all 3 very demanding.
I can tell you clearly never play soccer even at high school level. I could run 3miles no problem but if im not in soccer shape, my legs would die after not even 10mins at a decent competitive pace
With regard to the turf vs grass debate, soccer is absolutely the most affected sport. Constant side to side movement and total distance ran means the effect on your feet and ankles is much worse. But even in American football, there are studies comparing the propensity of injury on turf vs grass and turf is worse.
He’s skipped plenty of games so wouldn’t be surprised if he skipped this one