The LA Galaxy were dealt a major blow during their MLS Cup run in late 2024 when star midfielder Riqui Puig suffered a torn ACL during their Western Conference Final win against the Seattle Sounders. While Puig managed to continue playing for another 30 minutes that day, and LA was still eventually able to capture its seventh title, Puig was forced to undergo surgery.
The 25-year-old former Barcelona starlet is now in the early stages of a lengthy recovery process, regularly sharing updates in the forms of training photos and videos on his social media pages. In his latest Instagram post, Puig reflected on their 2024 Cup run, his recent return to Dignity Health Sports Park where he held aloft the league trophy ahead of their season-opening loss to San Diego FC, and his ongoing rehab.
“I want to thank all the fans for their unwavering support throughout our incredible 2024 season. Making history with the best club at MLS,” he wrote. “Winning this championship means so much to me, and none of it would have been possible without your energy and passion. This victory is for all of you. Thank you for believing in us every step of the way!
“I’m working very hard, I will be back soon to lift more trophies with all of you.”
Exactly when Puig will be able to return is unclear, with teammate and former Borussia Dortmund stalwart Marco Reus having recently told the Men In Blazers podcast that his side is “Waiting for Riqui’s comeback late in the year maybe.”
Puig’s return can’t come soon enough for LA, who have endured a rough start to the season in his absence. The Galaxy went 1-2-1 throughout their preseason friendlies before starting the regular season with a primetime loss to San Diego in what was the franchise’s first-ever MLS game.
Puig returned to Dignity Health Sports Park with the MLS Cup in hand ahead of LA Galaxy’s season opener (
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Along with Puig, LA is also without winger Joseph Paintsil who is out for up to two months with a quad injury, as per Tom Bogert. Meanwhile, their Cup-winning lineup has seen some major departures in recent months, including forward Dejan Joveljic, who was traded to Sporting Kansas City for $4 million, and former captain Gaston Brugman, who was traded to Nashville SC.
Reinforcements have subsequently been brought in by general manager Will Kuntz since the turn of the year, including defender Mathias Jorgensen from RSC Anderlecht, midfielder Lucas Sanabria from Club Nacional, forward Christian Ramirez from the Columbus Crew, and forward Matheus Nascimento from Botafogo. However, as Reus explained, “Important players left the club, so that means we need new chemistry in our team, a new rhythm.
“So it needs a bit of time. Of course, I will not say that in the first games, we will see the old Galaxy team because it’s not the old Galaxy team, it’s a new one.”
The new-look Galaxy will return to action on March 2 when they travel to the Vancouver Whitecaps in search of their first MLS win of the season.
Leave a Reply