Lionel Messi may have been absent for Inter Miami, but Leonardo Campana stepped up with a piece of brilliance to fill his void.
The 23-year-old signed a contract extension with Miami ahead of the weekend, with his new deal now running through the 2027 season, with the option of a further year. The former Wolves striker has been a different player since Messi arrived at the club, and he's even shown flashes of the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner himself.
Campana opened the scoring against Atlanta United in MLS on Saturday evening, chesting the ball down and then flicking it over the head of defender Luis Abram and volleying home. It was a magical moment, but unfortunately for Miami they found themselves down 3-1 at half-time as Atlanta fought back.
The striker then pulled one back as he scored from the penalty spot — and is clearly brimming with confidence — before Miami conceded twice more to lose 5-2. It proved that Miami still has talent available when they're being careful with Messi's playing time, as he recently also sat out of their 3-2 win against Sporting Kansas City.
Sergio Busquets started against Atlanta, but Jordi Alba was also absent for Saturday's game. Miami have two more MLS matches until they play another cup final, as they face Houston Dynamo in the US Open Cup final on September 28.
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Messi and DeAndre Yedlin helped lift Miami's first title as a franchise after they beat Nashville SC in the Leagues Cup Final, and they have the chance to add to their trophy cabinet already. But they're only in the US Open Cup Final due to Messi, who inspired the team at half-time when they trailed 1-0 in the semi final against FC Cincinnati.
Campana and the whole team were motivated by Messi who gave a passionate speech in an attempt to change their fortunes, and it worked. "[Messi] told us to have faith," Campana said after the match.
"He told us that we were going to win. That after all the work we’d done on the field, that we would never fail. It’s the kind of leader he is — he wants to speak in every game, every training, every championship match."
Initially, disaster struck as they conceded a second goal shortly after half-time, but Messi assisted Campana twice to take the game to extra time. Eventually, the game ended 3-3 and Miami won on penalties, and they're favourites to beat Houston too due to their star signing.
Campana now has ten goals in MLS this season and two in the US Open Cup. The striker is hitting his form at the right time, as although Miami could win two trophies, they're still well behind in MLS.
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