The Los Angeles Galaxy experienced glory on Sunday when they defeated the Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference Finals, securing a spot in the MLS Cup next Saturday against the New York Red Bulls. However, what marred the occasion with the injury sustained by Riqui Puig, a former Barcelona player, which could keep him out for several months.
The Galaxy posted on X (formerly Twitter) earlier this week, revealing the extent of the injury, and their worst fears were confirmed. Puig has torn his ACL, adding to the growing epidemic of footballers suffering from this particularly severe injury, which has sidelined some players for over a year.
Midfielder @RiquiPuig has sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee.
Puig sustained the injury in the second half of the match, continuing to play over thirty minutes despite his injury, and providing the game-winning assist on Dejan Joveljić’s 85th… pic.twitter.com/roTZASvPZ3
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) December 2, 2024
The surprising—some would say commendable—thing, however, was that Puig played for 30 minutes after injuring himself. He even assisted Dejan Joveljić’s 85th minute goal which sealed the tie in favor of LA Galaxy. Whether it made things worse for him or not remains unknown, but the five-time MLS Cup Champions did admit that Puig would require a surgery.
Wish Riqui nothing but the best, for those of you that don’t know… it was a NON Contact injury in the 63rd minute. My foul against him was in the 61st minute.
— Cristian Roldan⚽ (@CristianRoldan) December 2, 2024
Christian Roldan, who plays for the Sounders, was being accused of causing Puig this injury. However, he commented under LA’s post, insisting that his foul on the Spaniard was on the 61st minute. Puig injured himself without any contact two minutes later. “Wish Riqui nothing but the best,” Roldan added.
Puig, a La Masia graduate, made 57 appearances for Barcelona before joining LA Galaxy in 2022. The 25-year-old had been thriving in MLS until this recent injury, having represented the California-based club 82 times and recorded 49 goals and assists.
