One of essentially the most stunning strikes from two summers in the past was the departure of Riqui Puig from Barcelona to Los Angeles Galaxy.
The midfielder left at simply 21 years of age for a league the place gamers arriving from Europe have been nearer to retirement than within the prime of their careers.
The participant was one of many pearls of La Masia and had already accrued greater than 50 video games with the primary group, however his function was changing into residual. For that purpose, he determined to maneuver america to really feel essential once more. And with LA Galaxy he has discovered his place.
Puig has accomplished his second season with the MLS membership, the primary full season since he arrived. Regardless of the group’s failure to qualify for the playoffs, the Spaniard has had season with 9 targets and eight assists. These figures have allowed him to be thought-about LA Galaxy’s ‘participant of the yr’ and he has additionally received the highest scorer award of the Los Angeles group.
Chief in a number of MLS statistics
His performances this season place him within the prime of one of the best gamers in most of the MLS statistics, particularly by way of playmaking and affiliation.
He’s the league’s participant with essentially the most whole passes (2,073), most passes per 90 minutes (67.97), most passes into the ultimate third (390) and most passes into the ultimate third per 90 minutes (12.79). As well as, he fifth for essentially the most accomplished passes of greater than 32 meters per 90 minutes (5.43) and in proportion of success in lengthy passes (77.65%).
All these statistics present that the previous Barcelona participant is vital on this side of the sport, one thing comprehensible realizing how the Barcelona youth system works.
Puig additionally leads the desk of most runs in depth (154) and per 90 minutes (5.05). He’s the second with essentially the most dribbles per sport (2.82) and the fourth with essentially the most fouls received (66).
Subsequently, he not solely dominates in passing statistics however can be essential by way of motion on the pitch permitting the Catalan midfielder, who’s underneath contract till 2025, has change into a pacesetter of the group regardless of his 24 years of age.
The participant has achieved a excessive standing on the Los Angeles membership and it appears that evidently the choice he made slightly greater than two years in the past was the appropriate one.
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“I am very blissful in Los Angeles, I’ve at all times stated that. LA handled me tremendous effectively once I got here and the followers have handled me like one among this nice household,” Puig stated as he dedicated his future to the group. “I hold saying that the Galaxy is the best group in MLS.
“It’s true that this yr has been very troublesome for everybody, however we’re already working with the board to have a really aggressive group subsequent yr and we are able to combat to be among the many finest groups within the league.”
LA Galaxy’s season has not been one. The midfielder acknowledged that and is already fascinated by subsequent season, “It’s true that this yr has been very troublesome for everybody, however we’re already working with the board of administrators to have a really aggressive group subsequent yr in order that we are able to combat to be among the many finest groups within the league.”
The Catalan doesn’t need any excuses if subsequent season goes unsuitable: “Subsequent yr we may have no excuses. This yr the problem of accidents, the problem of as I stated earlier than, the president and the followers, I believe we have now to begin from the start all collectively extra united than ever. Subsequent yr we have now to make group and combat to win titles”.
Riqui Puig, Golden Boot
