Chiellini calls Riqui Puig a ‘clown’ after his Messi-style celebration

Former Barça midfielder Riqui Puig (23) scored a superb goal for LA Galaxy on Tuesday, which he celebrated by waving his jersey in front of the crowd. Which earned him the taunts of the very experienced Giorgio Chiellini, defender of LAFC.

A Maradonesque goal celebrated like Lionel Messi. Riqui Puig (23), former FC Barcelona player, made an impression on Tuesday by actively participating in the victory of his team, the Los Angeles Galaxy, against rival LA FC (2-0) in the quarter-finals of the ‘US Open Cup, the equivalent of the French Cup in the United States. After missing a penalty in the first half, the former La Masia nugget caught up on a solitary raid, eliminating three opponents before deceiving the opposing goalkeeper.

“Clown!”

The midfielder celebrated his achievement by taking off his shirt and waving it in front of the rival club’s supporters in the manner of Lionel Messi after his winning goal in the Real-Barça clasico (2-3) in 2017. Riqui Puig, who left Barça last summer without ever having confirmed the enormous promises placed in him, thus remembered his former teammate. But his reference drew ridicule from a well-known player in Europe: Giorgio Chiellini (38).

The Italian defender, who joined LA FC last summer after his huge career at Juventus Turin, mocked the midfielder as the latter gave a post-match interview to several media outlets. Passing by, Chiellini launched a loud “payaso” (clown in Spanish) while casting his gaze in the direction of his opponent, who continued his analysis without flinching.

His celebration also earned him a wind of anger from LAFC supporters who threw several projectiles in his direction. “During the match, they are also supporters who push a lot, sometimes with a lack of respect, regretted the player at the end of the meeting. But hey, it’s like that. The truth is that this (the celebration , editor’s note) comes from me. I am very happy. Today, the Galaxy can reign in this city of Los Angeles and I am very happy about it.” Since the start of the season in March, Puig has scored two goals in all competitions (in 14 games).