Sports
Artificial Turf at Maracanã? Flamengo Rules Out Change
Following controversy involving Léo Ortiz and banter from Palmeiras, the club firmly rules out installing artificial turf at the stadium.
Despite heavy criticism over the Maracanã pitch and recent comments from defender Léo Ortiz, Flamengo has ruled out installing artificial turf. Heavy rainfall in Rio de Janeiro and an overloaded fixture schedule account for the field's severe wear and tear.
Flamengo will not install artificial turf at the Maracanã. Even after controversial remarks by center-back Léo Ortiz—who admitted understanding why clubs opt for synthetic grass following a 1–1 draw against Independiente del Valle—the Rio club's board categorically ruled out adopting an artificial surface at the Mário Filho Stadium.
According to Bernardo, Ortiz's statement was ill-advised as it opened the door to public criticism, even though figures like Rossi and Arrascaeta have also voiced concerns about the pitch. His remarks prompted a cheeky post on social media from Palmeiras's official account. Nevertheless, a top-level Flamengo official guaranteed there is zero chance the consortium shared with Fluminense will implement artificial grass under the current administration.
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Heavy rain and an overloaded schedule
The extreme pitch deterioration stems from both weather and fixture congestion. According to reports cited in the video, Rio de Janeiro endured 23 consecutive days of rain, causing standing water and mud patches that prevented the grass from drying properly. Furthermore, an estimated 76 to 77 matches are scheduled this season—fueled by Fluminense's Copa Libertadores campaign—placing an immense burden on the field, nearly double the workload seen at benchmark natural-grass venues such as Corinthians' Neo Química Arena and Internacional's Beira-Rio.
The situation is set to worsen with an NFL game scheduled for September 27 at the stadium between the Baltimore Ravens and the Dallas Cowboys. As reported by journalist Mauro César on UOL, a complete pitch replacement may be required following the American football clash.
Defending natural grass in football
Bernardo considers artificial turf detrimental to the sport and questions the financial arguments put forward by its advocates. In Brazil, five major venues currently use synthetic surfaces: Allianz Parque, Nilton Santos (Engenhão), Arena MRV, Arena da Baixada, and Arena Condá. Other natural-grass venues, such as Bahia's Arena Fonte Nova and Arena Castelão (shared by Fortaleza and Ceará), have also faced severe backlash over pitch conditions due to heavy usage.
In Bernardo's view, the definitive solution requires regulation and standardization of natural pitches by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) or a future league body—mirroring Europe's top leagues in England, Italy, France, Spain, and Germany, where artificial turf is prohibited in elite competition.
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