Riqui Puig responds to Georgio Chiellini's 'clown' comments as feud intensifies

24 May 2023 , 22:13

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Giorgio Chiellini was not impressed by Riqui Puig's celebration. (Image: LA Galaxy/Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)

Riqui Puig has snapped back at Giorgio Chiellini after the Juventus legend called the former Barcelona prospect a “clown” during a TV interview.

Puig recreated Lionel Messi ’s iconic celebration, holding his shirt aloft after scoring in Los Angeles Galaxy’s “El Traffico” derby win over cross-city rivals LAFC on Tuesday.

Galaxy star Puig was talking to reporters in the mixed zone after scoring a sensational solo goal in the 2-0 win on the road win the US Open Cup round of 16 at BMO Stadium when LAFC defender Chiellini, who was rested for the game, made a passing jibe as he walked by.

“Payaso,” the Spanish word for “clown” was shouted by the 34-year-old in Puig’s direction as he made his way to the exit, clearly unimpressed by Puig’s celebration.

Puig scored the game’s second goal shortly after half time as the Galaxy, who are rock bottom of the MLS Western Conference after a terrible start to the season, picked up a morale-boosting win against their biggest rivals.

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After weaving through challenges and finding the back of the net, 23-year-old Puig removed his shirt and held it to the home fans, showing his name on the back, replicating Messi’s celebration when he scored for Barca against Real Madrid in 2017.

Puig bit his tongue in the moment but did address the matter on later Twitter when a fan posted a “The real reason why Georgie stays hating Riqui Puig”, accompanied by a video clip of Puig – once one of Barcelona’s top young talents – scoring a fine goal for the Catalans against Juve in a pre-season friendly, with Chiellini unable to intervene.

Puig shared the tweet with a couple of emojis for good measure.

The exchange adds extra spice to one of the biggest rivalries in the MLS ahead of their next showdown on July 4. Before Tuesday’s win for the Galaxy, reigning MLS Cup champions LAFC – who are also top of the table this season – had dominated their opponents.

The Galaxy have won just two league games this season and are seven points back from the playoff picture, but they will hope to build some momentum after Tuesday’s win, albeit against a much-weakened LAFC side with Chiellini, Carlos Vela and Denis Bouanga among the star players not involved.

Sam Frost