Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig has undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery on his left knee.

The team said Saturday that Puig is expected to make a full recovery and be ready to rejoin the Major League Soccer team for the start of next season in July 2027. The surgery was done in Barcelona, Spain, and it occurred just over a year after a similar procedure in late 2024, which caused him to miss the entire 2025 season.

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. Puig is expected to make a full recovery and be ready to rejoin the team for the start of the 2027 MLS season.… pic.twitter.com/4jKu0b6w8l

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) January 3, 2026

Puig originally got hurt in the 2024 Western Conference Final in Carson, California, where he had the game-winning assist in a 1-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders. The Galaxy went on to win its sixth MLS Cup title without him playing.

Puig, who is from Spain, had 17 goals and 20 assists in 36 matches for the Galaxy in 2024.

LA Galaxy was hoping for a bounce-back year following a complete downfall in 2025. It added top center-back Jakob Glesnes from the Philadelphia Union, while reportedly being in advanced talks for NYCFC free agent Justin Haak.

But with Puig out of the picture, it’s difficult seeing the Galaxy at or near the top of the contending picture.

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