Messi slams 'shameful' pitch conditions at Copa America

Lionel Messi would like a word with the groundskeepers at the Copa America.

Following a 2-0 quarterfinal win over Venezuela on Friday, Argentina's superstar criticized the playing surface at the Maracana, one of world football's most recognizable stadiums.

"The pitches here are shameful," Messi said, according to Reuters. "The ball is like a rabbit, it can go anywhere. The conditions are very difficult and it's very hard to dribble properly. This cannot go on."

Messi isn't the only one to complain about the conditions in Brazil. Tite, who coaches the Brazilian national team, said it's "absurd that at this high level we are playing on pitches where it is difficult to control the ball."

However, organizers told reporters, including Reuters' Andrew Downie, that the pitches are "appropriate" for a tournament as big as the Copa America.