At a Glance
- Riqui Puig undergoes second ACL reconstruction.
- Expected to return to LA Galaxy in July 2027.
- He missed the entire 2025 season after a prior ACL surgery.
- Why it matters: The injury sidelines a key playmaker and affects Galaxy’s championship hopes.
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig has had a second anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, this time in Barcelona, and the club says he should be back for the 2027 MLS season. The injury follows a 2025 season missed after a similar surgery in late 2024, and it leaves the Galaxy without a top scorer and playmaker. The recovery timeline and its impact on the team’s roster are now in focus.
Surgery and Recovery
The team announced Saturday that Puig is expected to make a full recovery and rejoin the Major League Soccer squad for the start of next season in July 2027. The operation was performed in Barcelona, Spain, just over a year after the 2024 ACL procedure that sidelined him for the entire 2025 campaign.
- 17 goals in 36 matches
- 20 assists in 36 matches
- 36 matches total
Impact on the Galaxy
Puig originally sustained his injury during the 2024 Western Conference Final, where he delivered the game-winning assist in a 1-0 victory over Seattle, and the Galaxy won their sixth MLS Cup that year without him on the field. The club added center-back Jakob Glesnes from the Philadelphia Union and is reportedly in advanced talks for free agent Justin Haak of NYCFC, but with Puig out, the Galaxy face a challenge to remain a top contender.
| Event | Date | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| First ACL surgery | Late 2024 | Missed 2025 season |
| Second ACL surgery | Jan 2026 | In Barcelona |
| Expected return | July 2027 | Back to LA Galaxy |
Future Outlook
Former MLS player Bradley Wright-Phillips notes that while the U.S. may not win the World Cup, MLS can build momentum from the 2026 tournament to achieve global success. The Galaxy’s path forward will hinge on integrating new talent and recovering key players.
Key Takeaways
- Puig’s extended recovery impacts the Galaxy’s competitiveness.
- The club is bolstering its roster with new signings.
- A return in July 2027 is projected, but the team must adapt without him.
Puig’s extended recovery underscores the challenges the Galaxy face as they rebuild after a tough 2025 season, while the club looks to new signings and the upcoming MLS season to regain its competitive edge.
