FORMER Barcelona prodigy Riqui Puig has revealed pictures of his withered leg after suffering a devastating ACL injury.
Puig, who now plays for LA Galaxy, lost a significant amount of muscle in his right leg after undergoing reconstructive surgery last month.
Puig suffered a nasty ACL injury during LA Galaxy’s 1-0 win over Seattle Sonders FC in the Western Conference final in November.
But he played over 30 minutes with a torn ACL and even provided the game-winning assist for Dejan Joveljic’s 85th minute goal.
Scans after the trophy celebrations showed a rupture and surgery was performed in a Barcelona hospital a month later.
The 25-year-old has shared an update on the rehab process of his knee.
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Pictures show the midfielder has lost a ton of muscle on his right leg as he works with specialists.
Puig grabbed 37 goal contributions in 36 matches played across all competitions for the LA Galaxy during the 2024 campaign.
He left Barcelona for America as a free agent in 2022 after falling out of favour with former manager Xavi’s plans.
His exit was a shock for fans after Barca’s legends indicated he was a special talent.
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Back in 2018, one report read: “Lionel Messi quickly realised that after Riqui started going to some training sessions with the first team last season.
“He wanted him at his side and, of course, the kid was happy to have his idol in front of him and on top of that, that he gave him the ball.
“He was not the only one who was astonished.
“Luis Suarez, Andres Iniesta – a player whom he has many resemblances towards – were also captivated by his football.”
Despite his promising talent as a teenager, Puig found himself way down the pecking order at the Nou Camp and left in 2022.
Gavi and Pedri are two of the highest-rated young central midfielders in Europe and have continued to prosper.
Meanwhile, Puig is one of the best players in the MLS and is a two-time All-Star.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
