LA Galaxy star, 2024 MLS Cup winner Riqui Puig breaks silence after major ACL recovery setback
Riqui Puig quickly established himself as one of the most exciting players in MLS following his arrival at the LA Galaxy, but his rise was halted by a torn ACL that sidelined him for the entire 2025 season. Now facing another setback in the same left knee, the 2024 MLS Cup winner has broken his silence with a heartfelt message.
After an outstanding 2024 campaign, Puig missed the MLS Cup final against the New York Red Bulls after suffering an ACL injury in the semifinals against the Seattle Sounders, a match in which he famously delivered a heroic assist while already injured. Sidelined for all of 2025, the Spanish midfielder recently received difficult news, as he was forced to undergo another surgical procedure after the knee failed to heal properly.
Revealing the setback, the LA Galaxy released a statement on Friday addressing Puig’s situation: “Riqui Puig has undergone a successful anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructive surgery on his left knee, just over a year after a similar procedure in late 2024. Puig is expected to make a full recovery and be ready to rejoin the team for the start of the 2027 MLS season.“
Riqui Puig’s message after surgery
The news sent shockwaves through the fan base, as many were expecting Puig to return during the 2025 season. Instead, another surgical intervention pushed that timeline back even further. Addressing the difficult moment, Puig shared a heartfelt message on his Instagram account on Saturday:
“After an entire year working every single day with one goal in mind, yesterday, during a medical checkup, the doctor gave me news that you never want to hear: the graft hadn’t healed properly and I had to undergo surgery again. It’s not easy to find the words after everything I’ve been through. Without a doubt, this is one of the toughest and most challenging moments I’ve had to deal with in my life, both personally and professionally. But today I can say that the surgery went well, and that gives me strength and peace of mind to look ahead.“
The midfielder also took time to thank his inner circle and the club. “I want to sincerely thank my family and my friends for always being there, but especially the Galaxy, for the way they have cared for me, respected me, and supported me every step of the way. I also want to thank all of you for every message, every word of encouragement, and every show of affection I’ve received in recent days. Truly, it means far more than you can imagine,” he wrote.
“I hope to return soon, better than ever, and that you’ll be waiting for me. I’m really looking forward to enjoying football again and making you enjoy it as I’ve always tried to do. Thank you for the unconditional support,” Puig’s message concluded.
LA Galaxy’s dismal season without Riqui Puig
Puig was a pivotal figure in the Galaxy’s 2024 MLS Cup triumph, delivering performances that earned him a spot in the 2024 MLS Best XI as the club’s lone representative. With the star sidelined throughout 2025, expectations were tempered, but the reigning champions struggled far more than anticipated.
During the 2025 MLS season, the Galaxy finished 14th in the Western Conference with just 30 points from 34 matches, ranking 26th overall in the league. Despite the presence of Marco Reus, the German legend missed 13 MLS matches due to injury, and the Galaxy did not record their first league win until Matchday 17, a situation the club will be eager to correct heading into the 2026 season.