"Messi Shines Amid Criticism of Falcons Stadium Turf in Copa América Opener"

The grass playing surface at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, installed just days before the Copa América opener, has drawn criticism from Argentina's manager Lionel Scaloni and players for its poor quality, affecting their performance in a 2-0 win over Canada. Complaints about the bumpy and hollow-feeling pitch have raised concerns about the tournament's standards compared to the European Championship. Future matches at the stadium may see the turf replaced with a more permanent grass solution, especially for the 2026 World Cup.