Ranking the Top 75 MLS Players of 2024: 3. Riqui Puig

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Riqui Puig left it all out on the pitch in 2024. It cost him his 2025 season, but it bore the fruits of an MLS Cup, even if he did not get to play in the biggest game of the season. He ran around for over half an hour with a torn ACL in the Western Conference final and even more impressively, he notched the game-winning assist in that condition. He will now return in August by the earliest, so he won't be racking up many stats next season, but he contributed enough to cover two seasons last year anyway. The shock FC Barcelona transfer will still only be 26 years of age upon his return and seems rooted to LA Galaxy.

The Spanish attacking midfielder opened the season with back-to-back goals against San Jose and Nashville. He scored a match-winner in the Cali Clasico rematch during a dramatic 4-3 result. A pair of helpers led to a 2-2 draw with Real Salt Lake. He continued the clutch trend with another winner over Houston. He did so once again in a 3-2 victory over Colorado. The Galaxy played a lot of high-scoring, exciting games. This includes a 4-2 El Trafico win in which he scored and assisted two He proceeded to drop a game-clinching brace aganst the Rapids and assisted both goals in a 2-1 battle with Austin. In the playoffs, he scored four goals across two matches to knock Colorado out. Puig scored seven goals in four matches against the Rapids in 2024, all wins with a 15-4 combined score. Then, the aforementioned display of bravery and passion ensued.

Puig hoisted the cup and did not seem too worried about the serious knee injury during the celebration. He had an absolutely unreal campaign, capped off by an even better story. The sacrifice he made for his team will change the look of the 2025 Galaxy, but he will surely be back as strong as ever. He finished with 17 goals and 18 assists total. He averaged over 122 touches per 90, easily the most at his position. It's difficult to even imagine touching the ball that many times in the game, it literally means he's on the ball every single minute of a match. He averaged 7.7 accurate long balls a match as well, just yet another anomaly. He completed 2.27 successful dribbles per 90 with his quick feet and acceleration. He now will focus on his rehab and recovery in order to prepare for an attempt at a cup defense months down the line. Puig comes in at No. 3.

3) RIQUI PUIG | MID, LA | PER 90 STATS (PERCENTILE)

17 GOALS

122.3 TOUCHES PER 90 (100%)

7.7 ACCURATE LONG BALLS PER 90 (100%)

2.27 SUCCESSFUL DRIBBLES PER 90 (99%)