While Inter Miami, supported by superstars like Lionel Messi, is attracting a lot of attention, LA Galaxy have a bright star in Riqui Puig, who graduated from Barcelona’s prestigious academy.
The 25-year-old midfielder made a huge impact, scoring 13 goals and dishing out 16 assists, propelling the Galaxy to a commendable second place in the Western Conference.
Puig has emerged as a dominant midfield force this season, leading the league in touches and pass attempts. His performances reflect the promise he showed during his time at Barcelona and blend seamlessly with his MLS ambitions.
However, his transition to the Galaxy was not without its challenges. Puig told CBS Sports:
“Whenever I come from Barcelona, the expectations are so high. I think people are waiting for something from me that I can’t give the fans. This year has been one of the best seasons of my life. I am truly grateful, happy and proud. ”
After a solid but shaky first season in 2023, Puig has shown significant improvement this year. He doubled his goals and assists total and averaged over 20 touches and passes per game while maintaining a passing accuracy of around 86%.
“We have some really good pieces this year. The team has grown a lot thanks to players like Peck and Paintsil. It was easy for us to perform in the runner-up position. Last year we were plagued by injuries, but this season It was different.”
Puig’s best season of his career helped the Galaxy bounce back from last year’s disappointing 14th place finish.
This turnaround was made possible by a sophisticated possession-based style of play that maximized the team’s offensive talent, including Peck’s impressive 16 goals and 12 assists.
As Puig settles into his role in MLS, he also adjusts to life off the pitch, learning how to navigate Los Angeles’ notorious traffic while finding his on-field identity in a league characterized by its chaotic nature. I learned.
In addition to that, the Spaniard has shown off his skills in MLS and has recently caught the eye of several European clubs such as Valencia, Villarreal CF, Girona FC and even FC Barcelona.
For now, Puig and the LA Galaxy are focused on the upcoming 2024 playoffs. Their next challenge will be against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, October 26th, and they will aim to regain their winning momentum and push toward championship glory.
