Leonardo Campana proves Inter Miami is more than just Lionel Messi

Campana is a relic from the 'old' Inter Miami, a signing made by manager old Phil Neville prior to Lionel Messi's arrival. He joined the squad on loan from Wolves in the Premier League and signed a full-time deal in advance of the 2023 season. 

Campana had impressed many as a youth prospect in his native Ecuador, but by the time his deal with Miami came around, he'd fallen into relative obscurity, failing to make Ecuadros 26-man World Cup squad in Qatar.

But Campana was determined to make a name for himself in the States, and he did it the old fashioned way: by turning up when it counted in big games. He began challenging Miami legend Gonzalo Higuain for a spot in the starting lineup, and when Higuain retired at the end of the 2022 season, many in Miami believed it was Campana's time to shine.

"Campana played a lot freer without Higuain in the team because he is the man now," coach Phil Neville said earlier this season. "Sometimes the center forward needs to be that person that everyone comes back to see."

Lionel Messi's arrival threw Campana's season into question. If he'd struggled to perform next to Higuain, after all, how would he fare next to one of the greatest players of all time? 

Those questions multiplied as new coach Tata Martino benched Campana in favor of Messi, but they were swiftly answered by Campana himself. 

He formed a strong, mature partnership with Messi in a few weeks flat, and the two began combining for some of Miami's most audacious goals of the season.

With Messi out of the picture for a game, Campana seized his moment to shine against Kansas City — but he was quick to give credit back where it was due. 

"Leo's absence was going to be felt," he told the Washington Post after the match, "but he has instilled so much confidence among the players. We believe now and know what we're capable of."

With Campana on fire and Messi returning to action next weekend, Miami's bid for the playoffs — one that looked doomed as recently as July — just might wind up being successful.