Real Salt Lake attacking midfielder Pablo Ruiz has suffered a left ACL tear, ending his 2024 MLS season after just three appearances in a massive blow to Pablo Mastroeni’s side.

The 25-year-old had just recovered from a right meniscus tear he suffered in early August and worked extremely hard to get back to full fitness before the beginning of the new season in late February vs Inter Miami.

It is the second long-term knee injury suffered by the Argentine midfielder in as many years.

“Pablo is an important part of our team, an important part of our club. He’s been here for six years and we have faith and confidence in his ability to return from this injury, to battle through the adversity and to come back stronger than ever. We look forward to adding him back into our squad,” RSL sporting director Kurt Schmid said in a release.

“Pablo’s injury last year highlighted his importance to the team and how he could impact the group; nothing highlighted that more than his absence and how the team performed when he was gone, but we were obviously very happy and excited to have him back. To complete the new deal following his recovery from last year’s injury and his resumption of play in preseason and in the first couple of games of the year is the right thing, and this is just a terrible accident and setback. Obviously Pablo will stay connected to the club and he has the full support of everyone during his recovery and rehabilitation process.”

RSL also revealed Ruiz signed a new contract extension with the club through the 2026 MLS season with options for 2027 and 2028. Ruiz had missed just one game prior to the meniscus tear suffered last fall that caused him to miss 14 Salt Lake games.

Ruiz’s last appearance of the campaign came on Saturday during RSL’s 3-0 triumph over LAFC in the snowstorm clash at America First Field, where he emerged from the bench for the final 17 minutes of normal time.

RSL confirmed Ruiz suffered the knee injury in training earlier this week as they prepare to take on Colorado Rapids this Saturday at their home ground. Mastroeni will look to lean on new signing Matt Crooks to shoulder some of the creative duties alongside Diego Luna and Carlos Gomez.