Leonardo Campana, who was one of the greatest figures in Ecuador when the U-20 National Team won in 2019 -under the leadership of Jorge Célico- the title of champion in the South American of that category, in Chile, and the bronze medal in the World Cup from Poland, is once again the main protagonist of a news event. The Juventudes de América striker three years ago (6 goals) scored a great goal on Wednesday night in the MLS, but then suffered an injury that prevented him from finishing the game.
Until now his club, Inter Miami FC, has not issued an official medical report on the player’s health status, with a month and a half to go before the Tricolor’s debut against the host in the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Leonardo Campana ‘has returned’! The Ecuadorian scored a brace in Inter Miami’s win over DC United
In the national environment, after the Campana problem, concern has arisen about whether the 22-year-old from Guayaquil will be ready for an eventual call by Gustavo Alfaro to be part of the World Cup roster. FIFA has given the coaches of the 32 national teams that will compete in the Qatar 2022 World Cup until November 11 to deliver their lists of 26 chosen players.
Last August Campana was absent from the Miami team because he suffered a left quadriceps strain. That malaise kept him out of action for five weeks. Due to that injury, the striker was not considered by Alfaro as part of the Selection for the recent FIFA date (0-0 draws with Saudi Arabia and Japan). This new complication puts the Tri coaching staff on alert as to whether they could count on him when the final roster is announced.
Goal and injury for Leonardo Campana with Inter Miami
Should he be in the Tri?
And without knowing with certainty the time that Campana could be absent, there are divided opinions regarding an eventual call. He should not be called because he “has not earned the merits to be in the National Team”, say some voices (sports commentators and fans). But from the opposite bank the striker is asked to be in Qatar. “Ecuador has no goal, he should go as a substitute,” many suggest.
Although it is true that in five consecutive friendlies La Tri has remained undefeated, the numbers show an alarming reality: two goals scored in those games. Michael Estrada has three goals on his account since he arrived at the Mexican Cruz Azul, but with those scores he completes four since the last one he scored five months ago in MLS.
Djorkaeff Reasco, whose call to the National Team for duels against Arabs and Japanese is a mystery, does not respond offensively in Newell’s Old Boys. In 19 appearances with the Rosario team, added to his line-ups in the Professional League championship and in the League Cup, he has barely recorded two goals (one in each contest).
Jordy Caicedo, after forcing his departure from CSKA in Bulgaria, where he scored 31 goals, has only one in thirteen appearances with the Monterrey Tigers. Meanwhile, Enner Valencia has seven goals in the Turkish League and one in the Europa League, but in the Tricolor he keeps the gunpowder wet (not even a penalty kick could be converted against Japan by the Fenerbahce player).
So it was with Ecuador
Faced with this panorama: Should it be called Leonardo Campana? Will he be on Alfaro’s final list? Does it deserve to be quoted? Has he or has he not made the merits to go with Ecuador to the World Cup?
The numbers of the attacker who only wore the Barcelona SC shirt in the LigaPro are not impressive when reviewing his time with the senior team. His premiere was on March 3, 2019, according to the Transfermarkt portal, in a friendly lost 1-0 with the United States. Campana spent 45 minutes on the field. He does not play with the National Team when he did for 29 minutes on the previous June 12 (Ecuador 1, Cape Verde 0).
How have you fared in matches for points with the Tri a Campana? Wrong. In the 2021 Copa América in Brazil, he lined up in all four of Ecuador’s duels. He added 168 minutes out of a possible 360 and did not score goals. In the pre-world cup against Qatar, he barely recorded 5 minutes in the entire tournament, in one game.
In Transfermarkt, the current Inter Miami FC player has twelve games in the Senior Team (seven friendlies and five official ones), without goals in 393 minutes on the field.
Goals in the MLS
However, Campana’s present in the MLS is better than that of other Ecuadorian strikers who play outside the country and even those who play in the 2022 edition of the LigaPro. He has eleven goals converted in the United States championship, one assist, is a starter, and logged 1,592 minutes in his club’s jersey this season.
The improvement, adaptation, and stability in his team are remarkable compared to what Campana showed (or did not show, rather) at Wolverhampton, in the Premier League, where he did not make his debut; at Famalicao, in Portugal, where he only had the option of playing ten times and scored two goals; and at the Swiss Grasshopper, where he was in 15 formations and scored three times. (D)
Source: Eluniverso
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
