Sawt Falasteen - Galaxy's Puig to miss 2026 MLS season after second knee op

Puig missed all of the 2026 campaign after tearing his left anterior cruciate ligament in the 2024 MLS Cup Western Conference final, missing the Galaxy's title-clinching victory in the MLS Cup final a week later.

The 26-year-old had returned to training with the Southern California club last autumn, but the Galaxy said Friday he'd suffered a setback.

"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," the team said in a statement.

"Puig is expected to make a full recovery and be ready to rejoin the team for the start of the 2027 MLS season."

Puig described on Instagram receiving the news at a medical checkup that "the graft wasn't right, and I had to go back to the operating room.

"It's not easy to find the words after everything I've been through. Without a doubt, it's one of the hardest and most complicated moments I've had to deal with in my life, both personally and professionally.

"But today I can say that the operation went well, and that gives me strength and peace of mind to look ahead," the former Barcelona player said.

"Now I only have one thing on my mind: to start working right away, train with more enthusiasm than ever, and try to become the Riqui Puig you all know again. With more desire, more hunger, and more strength."

Puig, a product of Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, arrived in the United States in 2022.

In 82 matches across all competitions for the Galaxy he has scored 29 goals with 32 assists.

Without him in 2025, the Galaxy struggled, winning only seven games.

X.Habash--SF-PST