Gabigol backs Flamengo’s stance, takes a swipe at Palmeiras and Botafogo | OneFootball

Gabigol made a strong protest against synthetic turf in Brazilian football

Flamengo is the main leader of the campaign to end the use of synthetic pitches in Brazil. This Friday (19), former Flamengo striker Gabigol gave an interview criticizing the plastic surface, which is used by Palmeiras and Botafogo.

— Synthetic turf doesn’t exist. In all the main leagues in the world it’s not allowed, but in Brazil it is. Is everyone else wrong? It’s dangerous. They say it doesn’t cause injuries, but you spend two days afterwards with your foot in ice. For me, it’s complicated, because I injured my ankle on natural grass, but it was bad — said the striker.

— We’re not fighting for the field to be only natural. It has to be natural and good. Like Itaquera. I don’t like synthetic turf, I think it’s horrible. If it’s so good, why don’t the biggest teams in the world play on synthetic? It’s a bizarre thing — Gabigol concluded, on ‘PodPah’.

WHAT HAS FLAMENGO DONE AGAINST SYNTHETIC TURF?

In recent weeks, Flamengo has made a series of posts against synthetic turf. Among the topics addressed, the club highlights that the main leagues in the world do not allow this surface and that the field gets hotter, harming the athletes’ performance.

In addition, Flamengo pointed out that synthetic turf causes more injuries and that top football players worldwide avoid playing on this surface. Besides the posts, the Rubro-Negro contacted the CBF, asking for action.

HOW MANY SYNTHETIC PITCHES WILL THERE BE IN THE 2026 SERIE A?

In 2025, Palmeiras, Botafogo, and Atlético-MG hosted games on synthetic turf. However, the list will grow next year. After all, Athletico-PR and Chapecoense, who use plastic pitches, have been promoted to Serie A of the Brazilian Championship.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.