Neymar Jr, Thiago Silva, Coutinho and Dutch player Memphis Depay have raised concerns about the growing number of synthetic turf football pitches in Brazil.
The players have voiced their concerns in a number of social media messages on various platforms.
“It’s worrying to see the direction Brazilian soccer is taking. It’s absurd that we have to discuss synthetic turf on our fields. Objectively, with the size and representativeness of our soccer, this shouldn’t even be an option. The solution to a bad pitch is to make a good pitch, simple as that,” the players stated on their Instagram profiles.
Brazilian clubs have spent millions to sign up international stars like Memphis Depay and Neymar, while generating massive incomes from selling young talents like Endrick and Vitor Roque for massive transfer fees. Nevertheless, little has been done to improve playing conditions, including turf quality and training facilities.
Neymar made a comparison of the Brazilian league with European leagues: “In the most respected leagues in the world, the players are listened to and investments are made to ensure the quality of the pitch in the stadiums. It’s about offering quality for those who play and watch.” His words were echoed by the other players.
“If Brazil wants to play a leading role in the world soccer market, the first step should be to demand the quality of the pitch on which the players play and train.”
The players claim that investing in players alone will not be enough to elevate the league’s overall level. They also need high-quality playing surfaces and top-tier training conditions.
Following footsteps
The latest development bears similarities to revolts in the UK and the Netherlands.
Complaints from players and managers following experiments by Queens Park Rangers, Luton Town and other clubs in the Football League First Division, the predecessor of the Premier League, with synthetic turf in the mid-’80s, pushed the FA to decide to ban synthetic turf in the highest English football competition in 1995.
In the Netherlands, a congress about the future of Dutch football on an international stage in 2018 has resulted in a ban on synthetic turf in the highest competition, starting this summer. The Scottish premiership will follow suit from the start of the 2026-2027 season.
“No scientific basis”
Brazilian top flight club Palmeiras disagrees with the players. Together with defending champions Botafogo and relegated side Atletico Paranaense the club is one of few that use synthetic turf pitches in Brazil’s Serie A.
Although Palmeiras is willing to consider the debate on the quality of Brazilian football pitches as an urgent matter, the issue would not be resolved with “shallow criticism lacking scientific basis” the club said.
They point out that their pitch is FIFA certified and has undergone annual inspections since its implementation in 2020.
Synthetic turf stadium fields used by clubs playing in FIFA regulated competitions, have to be inspected and certified every year. These fields are supposed to meet FIFA Quality Pro standards.
“There is no scientific proof that the risk of injury on artificial pitches is higher than on natural pitches,” the club said in a statement. From data publicly available, Palmeiras appears to have the least number of injured players in the past five years.