That historic NFL game between the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens in Rio De Janeiro? It might be played on a field that’s barely holding itself together. The NFL is heading into its first-ever game in Rio for Week 3, but there are serious concerns brewing about the playing surface at Maracanã Stadium, and honestly, it sounds like a nightmare.
Soccer Stars Are NOT Holding Back About This Field
The Maracanã is usually home to the Flamengo soccer team, and their players are not mincing words about the conditions. Flamengo midfielder Giorgian De Arrascaeta isn’t holding back, saying they’ve been “struggling a lot in these last few games, and the field keeps getting worse.” He pointed out that it’s “getting harder and harder to control the ball” and if they “want to be champions, we have to find a solution.” Talk about high stakes. Flamengo goalkeeper Agustín Rossi piled on, stating, “You don’t even need to talk about the field, it’s there for everyone to see.” He went on to say that “both penalty areas are bad as [expletive]” and “there are bumps everywhere.” Yikes.
NFL Is “Aware” But Can’t Do Jack (Yet)
So, what’s the league doing about this? Well, according to Pro Football Talk, the NFL is “aware” of the potential issues. But here’s the kicker: they can’t actually do anything about the field conditions at Maracanã until Monday at the absolute earliest. Why? Because the stadium just hosted a Flamengo game on September 13, and it’s got *another* game on September 20, the same day this article is being written. After that game, Rossi hopes “the field is in better shape,” but that gives the NFL basically no time. The stadium has put out photos and videos on social media, showing groundskeepers working hard, but it looks like they’re just trying to keep it “playable,” not perfect.
This Isn’t The First Time Brazil’s Fields Have Been an Issue
This isn’t even the first rodeo for bad fields when the NFL plays in Brazil. While this is the third straight year the NFL has held a game in Brazil, it’s not the first time we’ve heard gripes about the playing surface. The very first game in Brazil, between the Eagles and Packers in São Paulo at Arena Corinthians, also drew complaints from players about the field conditions afterward. History repeating itself? You sure hope not when player safety is on the line.
The Cowboys and Ravens are set to make history in Week 3, but you gotta wonder if this field is going to let them actually play their best game. Will we see some slips and slides, or will the grounds crew pull off a miracle? We’ll find out when kickoff happens.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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