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Riqui Puig: La Masia is the name of FC Barcelona’s youth academy, which produces new players and educates them about the club’s tactics and philosophies.
The academy is situated in Sant Joan Desp, a neighborhood of Barcelona, Spain, in the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper training center.
With the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, and Gerard Piqué among its many accomplished professional athletes, it is regarded as one of the most prominent youth academies in the world.
One of the most recent players to leave La Masia is Riqui Puig.
Although he was destined for greatness at FC Barcelona, the youthful phenom looked for better opportunities and, last season, found solace with the Los Angeles Galaxy squad.
The break
It is not surprising that Puig has lots of time to spare right now, given that the regular season begins next month.
Riqui Puig appears to be the exception with most individuals being thrilled by the thought of taking a holiday in Los Angeles.
On the Catalunya Radio show “Tot Costa,” Spanish journalist Rut Vilar revealed something.
“Riqui Puig is bored in Los Angeles.”
“Los Angeles and Miami are not pleasant cities to live in,” she explained. “Everything is by car, there is no nucleus.”
“When you are used to doing a lot in the city, as is the case with Riqui Puig, for example, it is not the same in Los Angeles or Miami as it is in New York.”
Puig was spotted in Barcelona before the program.
He was observed paying a visit to his friend Gerard Piqué at his King’s League project.
2022 season
In 2022, Riqui Puig made his LA Galaxy debut, assisting the squad in finishing fourth.
The midfielder is hopeful about the team’s chances of winning the MLS Cup in 2023 despite the team’s shortcomings.
“We were closer to winning than they were, honestly,” said Puig after their semifinal loss to rival LA FC. “But soccer is like that.”
“It’s not the best team that wins, the team that scores the most goals wins. Soccer is about scoring goals.”
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Puig
Spanish-born professional soccer player Riqui Puig is the Los Angeles Galaxy’s current midfielder.
Puig is a graduate of FC Barcelona’s youth program, La Masia, which he entered at the age of nine.
He rose through the ranks of the academy, and in 2018 he made his senior team debut.
In midfield, Riqui Puig is renowned for his technical prowess, ball-control, and vision.
He is also regarded as a promising future player with potential.
He has furthermore represented Spain’s U-21 national team.
From Barcelona to LA
In August, Riqui Puig made a free transfer move from Barcelona to Los Angeles.
Despite his short time with the squad, he had had a significant influence.
“I think the results are there to see,” said the La Masia product. “I came with a lot of motivation.”
“When you’re not active for a while, not getting minutes, you want to prove yourself.”
“I came here, they put their confidence in me, I played, and I think I showed [what I can do].”
LA Galaxy 2023
This year’s Galaxy team will be completely new because the team is releasing eight players from the previous season.
MLS legend Sasha Kljestaan will be retiring.
By switching to the Colorado Rapids, Kevin Cabral frees up the team’s designated player berth.
Douglas Costa and Chicharito will also accompany Cabral in leaving.
Despite being unable to sign players from outside the country, the LA Galaxy has already acquired Chris Mavinga and Memo Rodriguez.
Riqui Puig, in contrast, feels optimistic about the team’s chances of winning this season.
“I think last year, I wanted to make the playoffs. I think I got here a little too late,” he said.
“But this year, starting from zero, we have a big chance to win the league, and I think we’re going to win it.”
“We need to show that the Los Angeles Galaxy still have a lot to be done and are still a big name.”
References:
Former Barcelona midfielder Riqui Puig “gets bored” in Los Angeles
Riqui Puig: LA Galaxy “have a big chance” to win MLS Cup in 2023
