The LA Galaxy announced on Saturday that Riqui Puig’s return from injury has been postponed until 2027. The midfielder recently underwent his second surgery to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
Puig, previously a player for Barcelona, missed the entire 2025 MLS season after suffering a torn ACL on November 30, 2024.
After his latest procedure in Barcelona, the Galaxy stated that “Puig is expected to fully recover and rejoin the team for the beginning of the 2027 MLS season.”
The 26-year-old referred to this development in his recovery as “one of the hardest and most complicated moments” of his life.
“After a whole year of daily work aimed at recovery, I received the news that nobody wants to hear during a recent medical checkup: the initial surgery didn’t go as planned, and I would need to go under the knife again,” Puig shared on his Instagram account.
“Finding the right words has been challenging after everything we’ve endured. This has undoubtedly been one of the toughest periods I’ve faced in both my personal and professional life,” he added.
“However, I can now say that the surgery was successful, providing me with the strength and encouragement I need to move forward. My sole focus is to start my training, filled with excitement, and work hard to become the Riqui Puig that everyone knows—more driven, more determined, and more resilient than ever.”
The injury was originally sustained during the second half of the 2024 Western Conference final, where Puig continued to play for over 30 minutes despite experiencing discomfort, helping his team secure a 1-0 victory. Subsequent tests, including an MRI, confirmed the ACL injury, preventing him from participating in the 2024 MLS Cup final, where the Galaxy triumphed over the New York Red Bulls.
During that season, Puig played a crucial role in the team’s success, tallying 21 goals and 24 assists in 36 matches across all competitions. To date, he has achieved a total of 29 goals and 32 assists in 82 appearances for the Galaxy.
His performances have earned him MLS All-Star honors in both 2023 and 2024.