Leonardo Campana was this week surprisingly traded to the New England Revolution after a year as a regular for Inter Miami.
The Ecuador international played 35 times for the Herons in all competitions, scoring nine goals and proving to be a perfect backup for the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, with Campana briefly becoming Inter Miami’s all-time leading goalscorer.
Yet despite all these achievements, Campana was still traded to Eastern Conference rivals New England, with Inter Miami freeing up a Designated Player spot as links to Neymar continue to intensify for the Supporters’ Shield holders.
And Campana has now addressed the main reason why he left Inter Miami.
Campana says he wanted to become a regular starter away from Inter Miami
Speaking to EFE, the 24-year-old revealed that his main reasoning for leaving Florida was to become a starter elsewhere in MLS, with New England offering Campana the chance to become just that next season.
Campana also admitted that Luis Suarez’s quality as the best striker in the world also played a role in the Ecuador international departing Chase Stadium, with the veteran attacker signing a new one-year deal with Inter Miami, putting the former Herons forward back on the bench for another season.
Indeed, Campana’s decision to leave Inter Miami is one that will resonate with a lot of players, especially for someone in the same position as the attacker, who is now starting to become a regular with the Ecuador national team ahead of a potential appearance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Campana said: “The decision was made to be closer to the national team and, obviously, to be a a starter. I have spoken with the coach and he wants me to play. Doing things right, I know that I will have a place within the Tri [Ecuador national team]. I have the goal of being in the 2026 World Cup in my sights.”
Campana can become a problem for the Herons and MLS next season
With Campana now the main man at an MLS club with big ambitions going into next year, there’s a real chance that the Ecuador international can become a problem for the likes of Inter Miami and other teams in the Eastern Conference.
Indeed, Campana was an efficient striker when given a chance at Inter Miami this year, with the forward proving himself to be a good replacement for Messi and Suarez when either forward was unable to play for Tata Martino’s side.
And at a side like New England where Campana will be playing week-in-week-out, the South American talent could become a thorn in the side for Inter Miami and MLS teams, with the striker ready to take on the world with the Revolution.