Cristian Nava opens up on comeback after two ACL surgeries

Cristian Nava used his latest turn on USL All Access to lay out the hardest stretch of his career, a return from two ACL surgeries that forced New Mexico United’s hometown midfielder to rebuild everything from his knee strength to his confidence. The episode posted Aug. 5 and paired him with host Mike Watts and Joe Malfa, filling in for Devon Kerr, as Nava talked through the rehab, the family support around him and the original pull that first sent him toward soccer.

Nava’s comeback has been a long reset, not a quick return. New Mexico United first lost him in March 2023, when he tore an ACL after starting the club’s opening match in Miami and was ruled out for the rest of the season. The setback deepened the following spring, when the club announced on April 30, 2024, that he had reinjured the same knee and would miss the 2024 season.

By February 13, 2026, the picture had changed. New Mexico said the 22-year-old attacking playmaker had signed for the season, bringing back an Albuquerque native who had already produced two goals and two assists in 22 appearances before the injuries took hold. That return quickly started to show up in results. On March 20, Nava scored a late game-winning goal in the U.S. Open Cup on the third anniversary of his last appearance for New Mexico United, a strike that marked a new chapter in a comeback most players never reach. On July 6, he added his first USL Championship goal since 2022 before almost 15,000 fans at Isotopes Park.

The interview gave Nava a chance to explain what those milestones required behind the scenes. Two ACL surgeries can take a player out of rhythm for months at a time, and Nava’s recovery depended on more than medical work. The episode highlighted the role his mother played during rehab, along with the patience needed to get back to competitive speed, trust the knee again and survive the mental drag of setbacks.

For New Mexico United, Nava’s return matters on the field as much as it does in the room. A club that leans on grit and local connection now has another midfield option with proven end product, a homegrown player who has already shown he can deliver in pressure moments. The timing also fits the club’s playoff push, with Nava’s story adding another layer to a roster trying to turn resilience into points.