Inter Miami striker is just 3 goals away from surpassing Gonzalo Higuain as the top scorer in the history of David Beckham’s club. Needless to say, he is currently ahead of Lionel Messi in the scoring charts.

Campana was initially part of the pre-roster for being part of Ecuador’s squad, but Spanish coach Felix Sanchez decided to leave him out. With the great form he is currently in, many people must be wondering why he was left out of the squad.

Leonardo Campana out of Copa America 2024

The reason why Leonardo Campana will not be part of Ecuador’s national team is because coach Felix Sanchez decided to bring a striker with different qualities, a tactical decision.

There was only room for one more striker and the Spanish coach decided to include Jordy Caicedo from Atlas (Mexico) along with Kevin Rodriguez and the experienced and top scorer of the national team, Enner Valencia.

Leonardo Campana has been excluded by from the squad that is gearing up for the beginning of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Ecuador have a hard task ahead for the first two matchdays, having to play against Argentina and Uruguay.

Campana wasn’t a very well-known name roughly a month ago. However, everything changed in a fast way since the Inter Miami striker now has the chance to share the field with none other than Lionel Messi.

His notable partnership with the Argentinian had people thinking that the physical imposing forward may receive a call-up. In the end, Ecuador’s head coach Félix Sánchez opted to leave him out of the roster.

Why is Leonardo Campana not playing for Ecuador?

Campana has increased his production notably since Inter Miami acquired Messi, but his performances before this period may have been the deciding factor. The former Wolverhampton player wasn’t a regular feature in the scoring sheet.

Félix Sánchez Bas went with three strikers in his recent list. His decision was to obviously have team captain Enner Valencia as the main option. Valencia is accompanied by the likes of Johan Julio and Kevin Rodríguez.

The 2023-24 European season looks different without Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Shortly after the Portuguese took his talents to Saudi Arabia, the Argentine star joined Inter Miami.

Even though they’re not getting any younger, these legends continue to draw world soccer’s attention. Both Messi and Ronaldo have already shown they have a lot left in the tank, but for many reasons, they felt it was time to leave the Old Continent.

Of course, the financial aspect helps to explain their new destinations. Ronaldo is reportedly the highest-paid player in Saudi Arabia, while Messi makes more than any other player in MLS. However, there’s an Inter Miami player whose family wealth is greater than that of his teammate and Ronaldo.

The teammate of Messi at Inter Miami whose family is wealthier than the Argentine star, Ronaldo

Leonardo Campana‘s story is quite particular. The Ecuadorian striker’s family wealth is said to be worth one billion dollars, a fortune that not even the likes of Messi and Ronaldo can boast.

Campana’s grandmother Isabel Noboa is well known in Ecuador for being a successful businesswoman, while his grandfather Isidro Romero is also a renowned entrepreneur, sports leader and politician. In fact, Barcelona SC named their stadium after him due to Romero’s pivotal role in its construction. Curiously, the Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo witnessed Messi’s magic with Argentina as well as Campana’s first professional goal.

Additionally, Leonardo’s father Pablo Campana was a professional tennis player who represented Ecuador in the 1996 Olympics. After retiring from the sport at 24, he found success in the private sector and eventually became Minister of Foreign Trade and Investments.

His family tree involves more renowned personalities. Campana’s great-uncle Alvaro Noboa is a famous mogul throughout the Americas, while his uncle Daniel Noboa is running for president of Ecuador.

The 23-year-old forward is reportedly one of the highest-paid players at Inter Miami, with a $550,000 annual salary. In addtion to being heir to a history of business success, Campana can take pride in being teammate of one of the greatest players of all time.

How much does Lionel Messi make a year?

MLS have yet to reveal his salary, but it’s believed that Lionel Messi makes between $50m and $60m a year.

How much does Cristiano Ronaldo make a year?

Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly makes €200 million a year in Saudi Arabia.