Riqui, in his presentation: “Here, they gave me love and trust”

Riqui Puig this is submitted officially this Wednesday at Dignity Health Sports Park as the new soccer player for Los Angeles area, institution that convinced him because, he said, it gave him “what he needed, love and trust”.

With him will be his new technician, Greg Vanney, a veteran of mls who knows American football very well as a player and coach.

The boss of the Galaxy highly appreciates the fact that a footballer like this came to the United States: “He is one of the best signings in the history of the league. It is good for us, but above all it is a great recognition for the competition”.

Vanney was the key to Riqui’s arrival, according to the former FC Barcelona youth squad: “I spoke with them on a zoom before arriving. They gave me what I needed, love and trust. They gave it to me. It reached I have two days to decide, I’m here. I’m going to go through a new challenge in my life”.

Riqui Puig analyzed the team’s current situation, sixth in the Western Conference and fighting to secure the Playoffs. For the young player of Barça, the options are full: “There are ten finals left, for the team it is good to try to win those ten games, I think we can win the league”.

“I want to thank Greg and my colleagues, it has been a hard start because the visa was delayed a bit. But by Friday I will be ready. I am grateful to my colleagues for how they accepted me. I’m really looking forward to it, I feel at home,” he said.

A new adventure where the first days are very exciting: “The truth is I didn’t think like that, it’s a huge club with a lot of fans, when I arrived at the airport it was amazing. The facilities are amazing “.

“The truth is that the level impressed me, there is a high level, a lot of competition, that is always good in high competition teams. I will give everything and I will try to give the team more quality if possible. I is very happy to be here I think it’s an amazing group,” he added.

He will share a team with another newcomer like the Uruguayan Gaston Brugmana teammate in the midfield with whom he has been able to share the sensations.

“The arrival of Gaston he gives the team many levels, now in training, I feel very comfortable with him”, he affirmed.

enjoyed it too Riqui with his arrival in Los Angeles of a person of the same origin, the former Barça youth squad Victor Vazquezwho left La Masía and welcomed him when he arrived.

“With Victor I’m lucky to have a great relationship, it’s helped me a lot. He explained to me which places are good for young people like me. He too has been in the Masía for many years, and he knows what it’s like to be there and be here. It was a long drive and many hours apart. He treats me like I’m his son,” he said.

“In Spain, with such a time difference, it’s difficult for me to watch the games, I try to see the highlights. I think it’s a league that can be one of the best in the world. It has everything to succeed. From now on Many more youngsters will come to raise the level, to develop and improve, this is a league that has a long way to go”, he continued.

The love received was not the only reason to decide on this change of scenery: “I come from a completely different league in Europe. But I’m young, I think you have to risk it sometimes. I’m a guy who likes to try new things. I came to a completely new city. I think it will be very good for me as a person and better in sports”.

One of the companies you most want to see at stake is the one Riqui Puig could form with the Mexican Javier Chicharito Hernandezfor which he had only words of praise.

“Having a player like Chicharito, who has won so many things and played with the best teams in Europe, is a source of pride. I can learn a lot from him. He is one of the players who received me the best in the locker room, he is a ten, a crack. I want to thank you for how you treat me. I hope I can give him a lot of assists”, he thought.

“I’ve been training for two months. Physically I’m pretty good, I’m at a good physical level. In football you always have to have a little pressure, because that way you perform better. I like to have pressure, to have the fans behind you, who insist on me. I want to assume that pressure and give everything on the pitch”, he insisted.

Adapting to his new life in Los Angeles depends mainly on the support of his family: “It is true that he is very far from Barcelona and at only 22 years old it can be very difficult for me. At the moment I have here and they help me find a house and necessary things like opening a bank account or phone,” he said.

“I also have my girlfriend, who I would like her to come. I’m very happy, I’m really like the club, the city too and my teammates are helping me a lot,” he concluded.