Riqui Puig Injury Update: What's Happening in 2026
On January 3, 2026, LA Galaxy confirmed Puig underwent a second ACL reconstructive surgery on his left knee — his graft from the 2024 procedure had failed. The club placed him on the Season-Ending Injury List, ruling him out for all of 2026. Puig is now targeted to return at the start of the 2027 MLS season, under a contract extension he signed in May 2024 that runs through December 2027. With his Designated Player slot temporarily occupied by João Klauss, the Galaxy are managing their roster creatively — but everyone inside the club knows that spot belongs to Riqui.
Riqui Puig Stats and Play Style: Why He's MLS's Best Midfielder
In the 2024 MLS regular season alone, Puig posted 16 goals and 14 assists in just 29 matches, and added four goals and four assists across four playoff games. His career Galaxy totals stand at 29 goals and 32 assists in 82 appearances — numbers that earned him the 2024 MLS Best XI and back-to-back All-Star selections in 2023 and 2024. Coach Vanney put it best: the second Puig gets on the field, the passes he hits and the things he sees are simply unlike anything else in MLS. His off-ball orchestration unlocks teammates like Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil by guaranteeing the ball will arrive — so they can focus purely on finishing.
Why LA Galaxy Fans Are Obsessed With Riqui Puig
Puig is the rare MLS player who turns casual viewers into fanatics. His viral goal celebrations — including the Salt Bae pose after a brace at Colorado in 2024 — made him must-watch TV on Apple TV+. Galaxy supporters don't just love him for the numbers; they love that he plays the game at a different frame rate than everyone else. The debate among fans is simple: is the wait for his 2027 return worth it, or does the Galaxy need to plan around his absence permanently? Most believe the answer is obvious — you build around Riqui, full stop.
Follow Riqui Puig's Return Journey on Scoutcast
Puig's road back to MLS is one of the most compelling recovery arcs in recent league history — two ACL surgeries, two full seasons lost, and a fanbase counting down to 2027. Scoutcast delivers a personalized daily audio briefing so you never miss a rehab update, a Vanney quote on Puig's progress, or a Galaxy roster move that signals how they're planning for his return. Instead of chasing scattered news, get every Puig development delivered to your ears every morning. This is exactly the kind of slow-burn storyline Scoutcast was built for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Puig is expected to return at the start of the 2027 MLS season after undergoing a second ACL reconstructive surgery on his left knee in January 2026. He will miss the entire 2026 season.
Puig tore his ACL in the 2024 Western Conference Final against Seattle Sounders. After the initial surgery failed, he required a second procedure in Barcelona in January 2026, ruling him out for two full seasons.
Puig has recorded 29 goals and 32 assists in 82 matches for the Galaxy across all competitions, including 16 goals and 14 assists in the 2024 MLS regular season alone.
Yes. Puig signed a contract extension in May 2024 running through December 2027. He is on the Season-Ending Injury List for 2026 but remains a key part of the club's future plans.
Puig was named to the 2024 MLS Best XI and was selected as an MLS All-Star in both 2023 and 2024. He was also a central figure in the Galaxy's 2024 MLS Cup championship.
Puig is from Matadepera, Spain, and is a product of FC Barcelona's academy. The Galaxy acquired him via transfer from Barcelona in August 2022 using Targeted Allocation Money.
He was sensational — four goals and four assists in just four playoff matches. He also delivered the game-winning assist in the Western Conference Final win over Seattle before leaving injured.