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Riqui Puig Injury Setback Pushes His Return to LA Galaxy to 2027

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Manuel Meza Cienfuegos | Last updated Jan 3, 2026 4:31 PM ET

LA Galaxy confirmed that Riqui Puig underwent another surgery on his knee stemming from his ACL injury suffered in 2024, which kept him off the pitch for the entire 2025 Major League Soccer season.

The six-time MLS Cup-winning club confirmed that Puig, 26, is not expected to return until the 2027 season. A terrible loss for the Los Angeles team.

"Midfielder 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," announced LA Galaxy.

"The surgery was performed by Dr. Ramon Cugat in Barcelona, Spain. Puig is expected to make a full recovery and be ready to rejoin the team for the start of the 2027 MLS season."

Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi dribbles the ball away from LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig during the first half at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports.Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Riqui Puig Will Not Return to LA Galaxy Until 2027

In the same statement, LA Galaxy explains that Puig originally sustained the injury during the second half of the 2024 Western Conference Final at Dignity Health Sports Park.

"He delivered the game-winning assist in a 1-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders, helping propel the Galaxy to its sixth MLS Cup title (2002, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2024)," they added.

LA Galaxy initially hoped to have Puig available for the start of the 2026 MLS season. A couple of months ago, head coach Greg Vanney shared his expectations on the matter.

"We’re already starting the reintegration of Riqui in our group in training, and you can already sense a different momentum in the group in a different way of how he impacts the game," Vanney said, via Los Angeles Daily News. "He’s such a unique player and how he impacts the game."

Vanney also made it clear that he was expecting Puig to be fully involved in the 2026 training camp before the start of the next season, but it seems now everything has changed.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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