Inter Miami player: 'Messi transmits a winning mentality to the team'
"We clearly feel the absence of Messi, but as we said yesterday, he still brings confidence to many players on the team," Campana said after the win in the American Professional Soccer League (MLS) this morning. 9/10. "We now go out with the confidence to win. Now, we know our capabilities and that is the basis to win three points today."
At DRV PNK Stadium yesterday, Miami did not have Messi, because the 36-year-old striker had to return to join Argentina to play two qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup in South America against Ecuador on September 7 and Bolivia on September 12. Messi only returned for the match against Atlanta United on September 16. Missing the brightest star, Miami still beat Sporting Kansas City 3-2 thanks to a double from Campana and Facundo Farias.
Campana revealed that Messi sent a congratulatory message to the team's Whatsapp group. The 23-year-old striker also praised the three star rookies Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba for still maintaining their desire, wanting Miami to win every match and every tournament.
Coach Gerardo Martino emphasized that the victory over Sporting Kansas City is proof that Miami can play well even without Messi. "For a team with the best player in the world, when he's not playing, it's great to know the team can win," the Argentina coach said.
The day before Miami's win, Messi shined with a free kick scored in the 78th minute to help Argentina beat Ecuador 1-0 in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in South America.
When asked about this goal, Martino replied: "What Messi did, instead of a movie in Miami or Hollywood, it was a movie in Buenos Aires, but with an old story. No matter what shirt Messi wears, That's been going on for the past 18 years."
Meanwhile, Campana - an Ecuadorian - was disappointed when his home team failed, but praised Messi for easily scoring free kicks like penalties.
The victory over Kansas City also helps the team under coach Martino continue to maintain hope of competing for tickets to the MLS Play-offs. Miami currently has 28 points, six points ahead of bottom team Toronto FC in the East, and behind ninth place D.C. United - last place with tickets to MLS Play-offs - six points, but is playing two fewer matches.
